Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 28th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
kdevine,
Avalanche Canada
Storm slabs may be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas at upper elevations. Watch for signs of instability such as whumphing, cracking and recent avalanches.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods / southwest wind, 20-30 km/h / alpine low temperature near -8
WEDNESDAY - Flurries, 10-15 cm / southwest wind, 40-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near -6 / freezing level 1000 m
THURSDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm / southwest wind, 40-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1000 m
FRIDAY - Snow 10-20 cm / southwest wind, 50-80 km/h / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1700 m
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity is expected to increase on Wednesday with fresh snow and strong winds forming storm slabs that may become increasingly reactive throughout the day.
On Monday there were several reports of natural and human triggered storm and wind slab avalanches, mostly on north aspects around treeline, and mainly size 1-2, with one size 3 glide slab reported.
Over the past week there has been widespread avalanche activity, with the bulk of it occurring on Friday and Saturday. There have been reports of many natural, human and explosives triggered avalanches up to size 3 since Thursday. Avalanche activity began to taper off on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
Wednesday is set to bring 10-15 cm of new snow and strong southwest winds. Fresh storm slabs will be forming throughout the day.
Recent rain at lower elevations means that the new snow may fall on either a melt-freeze crust, or wet snow below about 1500 m
There is a weak layer of surface hoar that is down about 90-130 cm deep in the Selkirks and 120-160 cm deep in the Monashees and exists primarily at treeline and below treeline. This layer has not produced any recent avalanches in the region.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs will likely be building throughout the day and may become increasingly reactive with ongoing strong winds and fresh snow accumulating.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 29th, 2020 5:00PM
