Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 29th, 2014 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Lisa Paulson,
Avalanche Canada
Good skiing/boarding can be found in wind sheltered terrain. Continue to avoid steep or convex terrain especially if there are terrain traps below, and enjoy the good skiing on lower angled well supported slopes.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A cold night (-22C) tonight. Warm air pushes into the region tomorrow creating an inversion with warmer air in the alpine. For the next few days, expect a mix of sun and cloud, light winds, and highs of -7.
Snowpack Summary
Recent winds have created small wind slabs in the alpine which sit over the Dec 18 layer of crust, facets and/or surface hoar depending on the location. Surface hoar is more prevalent in the Little Yoho region and a poor bond exists at this interface. At the base of the snowpack weak crusts and facets exist which are still a concern.
Avalanche Summary
"Speed Run" at Lake Louise ran naturally as a size 2 on December 26th following some moderate wind transport overnight. On the 27th, skiers triggered a small slab in Wizard Chutes (Sunshine region) and it stepped down to the basal facets yeilding a size 2.5 avalanche.
Confidence
Problems
Persistent Slabs
15 to 30cm's of snow from last week is bonding poorly to previous surfaces and remains susceptible to skier triggering, especially in areas where there has been some wind loading and slab development.
- Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak and facetted basal layer exists at the bottom of the snowpack. Smaller surface avalanches may step down to this weak layer.
- Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 30th, 2014 4:00PM
