Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2017 3:19PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

triley, Avalanche Canada

Lizard-Flathead.

Cornices may be weak and fall off naturally or be easy to trigger. Watch for lingering pockets of wind slab in the alpine.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Overcast with light winds and freezing at valley bottoms overnight. Overcast with light winds and a chance of flurries on Wednesday. Mix of sun and cloud on Thursday with alpine temperatures around -10 and light winds. Mix of sun and cloud on Friday with light winds and alpine temperatures around -5.

Avalanche Summary

One natural cornice fall size 2.0 released on a northeast aspect at 2100 metres. Some loose snow sloughing has also been reported.

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of light snow covers settled storm snow from last week. Last week's storm delivered 20-40 cm of heavy snow with freezing levels up to 1600 m. Crusts can be found near the surface on solar aspects at high elevations and on all aspects below 1600 m. The lower snowpack appears to be well settled. There have been isolated reports of surface hoar layers that formed in early January that may still exist about 40 cm deep in sheltered areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for wind slabs on lee and cross-loaded features at higher elevations.

Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2017 2:00PM