Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 31st, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
mmueller,
Avalanche Canada
All forecasts are saying that we are on deck for a major storm tomorrow. Avoid exposure to avalanche terrain, this would include exposure to avalanche runout zones.
Summary
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
As of Friday afternoon, a storm is just starting to approach us from the SW. We are expecting 30-40cm by tomorrow evening. Warm temps and strong winds will accompany the snow for the entire event. The daytime high will be -5 with a cooling trend as the front passes. Alpine wind speeds will hit 75km/hr and be steady out of the SW.
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new.
Snowpack Summary
Steady SW winds have kept the windslabs building. They are wide spread in the alpine on easterly aspects and extend well into treeline. Even open areas at valley bottom have a wind slab feel to them. Lots of crossloading in gullies at the moment. Given how these new slabs are formed from old snow, we are expecting a poor initial bond with any new snow. The midpack is still supportive at all elevations and travel is reasonable while we wait for the new snow to arrive. The ground layers remain the question mark. They may not tolerate a heavy load.
Terrain and Travel
- Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
Problems
Storm Slabs
The incoming snow will be warm and heavy, similar to our last storm. Depending on how it sticks to the old snow, we may have a serious avalanche concern.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
This problem includes new slabs and older buried slabs. Again, the bond with the old snow will determine how big a problem these actually are. Assume the bond is poor!
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
So far this layer has woken up with any new load. We expect the same for this storm. Avoid exposure to avalanche terrain and keep overhead exposure in mind, even in valley bottoms.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 1st, 2020 4:00PM
