Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2013 8:30AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

catherine brown, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach run out zones.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Flurries are forecast for today with moderate westerly ridge top winds and max air temp= -5. A frontal system will restart the snow this evening into Friday, we expect moderate amounts of snow up to 15 cm. Temperature will remain seasonal. Saturday, drier conditions return.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 30 cm of new snow has covered a variety of surfaces including, small surface hoar and sun crust on steep south through west slopes. This also covers widespread wind effect in open areas at treeline and in the alpine.Jan 4th SH/CR down 65-95 cm reacting in stab tests (moderate to hard range) in isolated location most recently at TL, SE asp.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed in the park yesterday, visibility was poor.� We expect small, loose natural avalanche where happening Wednesday evening through the overnight period due to new snow and moderate winds in the alpine.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

30cm of new snow has created storm slabs. These can be triggered by riders especially in steep terrain. Watch for wind effected snow on north/northeast slopes in open areas at treeline and in the alpine. Snow will be sluffing in steep treed terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

A weak layer down around 65-90 cm might still be reactive to skier triggering. No natural avalanches have been observed on this layer recently. New snow overnight may overload this layer, causing it to fail with the additional weight of a rider.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2013 8:00AM