Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 24th, 2013 8:05AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

ali haeri, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Be careful out there over the holidays, increased snow load and wind are keeping the avalanche hazard up.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snow fall easing today but winds to remain strong at higher elevations. More significant system arriving tomorrow into Thursday with moderate amounts of snow and rising freezing levels.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow now totalling 40cm since December 20. December 8 facet/surface hoar down 70-80cm and November 28 surface hoar layer down 90-100.Facetted lower snowpack slowly gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

11 natural slab avalanches were observed yesterday ranging in size 2.0 to 2.5 in the highway corridor.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds have picked up overnight with lots of snow available for transport. Use extra caution on lee and cross loaded terrain particularly near ridge crests

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

Storm snow amounts keep accumulating with another 12cm overnight. It will need some time for storm layers to bond.

Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

2 weak layers exist in the snowpack, these are getting deeper as snow amounts increase. They are down between 70 and 120cm and will have devastating consequences if triggered.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 25th, 2013 8:00AM