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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 1st, 2014–Jan 2nd, 2014
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

Snow-loading has been incremental, keeping the avalanche hazard elevated in the alpine. Keep your head on a swivel and minimize exposure to large, overhead avalanche paths.

Weather Forecast

Scattered flurries, moderate ridge-top winds, and freezing levels near valley bottom today. A juicy cold front is forecasted to push through on Thursday, bringing a quick pulse of precipitation, high winds, and a spike in freezing levels.

Snowpack Summary

35cm of new storm snow. Upper meter is settling. Mid to lower snow pack is rounding out and becoming more settled. The Dec. 8 surface hoar/facet layer, down 90cm, is mostly unreactive in snowpack tests. The Nov. 28 surface hoar layer, down ~125cm, is still well preserved in certain areas and is giving hard sudden planar results.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous size 1.5 to 2.5 slab and loose avalanches were observed from steeper start zones in the western portion of the park yesterday. In the eastern portion, several size 2-3 avalanches were observed from steep terrain on Tupper and MacDonald.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Another 10cm in the last 24 hours continues to incrementally load the snowpack. Moderate winds have created soft slabs in exposed areas.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Winds associated with the recent snowfall have been strong enough to create slabs in the alpine and exposed areas at and below tree-line. These slabs are concealed by the incremental snowfall of the last few days.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The presence of a deep surface-hoar weakness remains a concern for backcountry travelers. It will likely take a large load to trigger it, like a cornice or someone who ate too many perogies over Christmas.
Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 2 - 4