Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 7th, 2020 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Kate Ryan,
Parks Canada
Storm day!
Conservative terrain choices that avoid overhead hazard will be key for today.
Be vigilant in monitoring changing conditions!
Summary
Weather Forecast
A strong low pressure system will cross the interior today, bringing up to 40mm of precip to Rogers Pass by tomorrow.
Today: Snow, heavy at times, 16cm. Freezing levels rising to 1400m. Winds light from the south, gusting strong
Tonight: Periods of snow, 15cm. Freezing level 1000m. Winds light from the south, gusting strong
Tomorrow: Isolated flurries
Snowpack Summary
Rogers Pass has received 100mm of precip in the past week, accompanied by strong to extreme S winds. Several weaknesses can be found within the 65-90cm of snow that lays above the persistent Dec 27th layer. The mid and lower snowpack have been strengthening, but don't forget about early season weaknesses with the increased load today.
Avalanche Summary
Expect another natural avalanche cycle to begin today with increased loading from today's storm occurs. Numerous avalanches up to size 3.5 in the highway corridor were triggered both naturally and by artillery on Saturday.
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
20mm of precip forecast today with gusty S winds will build new touchy storm slabs. Expect buried slabs from this past week's snow and extreme S winds. Approach all open terrain with caution. Large paths have the potential to run to valley bottom.
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
- Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Storm slabs have the potential to step down to the December 27th SH, which is now buried up to 1m deep. See the MIN report from yesterday showing reactivity BTL.
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 8th, 2020 8:00AM
