Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 21st, 2016 9:10AM
The alpine rating is Persistent Slabs and Storm Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Variable conditions across the region. Wind and snow over a touchy weak layer are expected to increase avalanche danger on Friday.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Friday brings another 10-20 cm snow, strong S to SW winds and freezing levels around 1100 m. Winds are mainly light, temperatures drop and there may be a few flurries through the weekend.For more details check out http://www.avalanche.ca/weather.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous large (size 2-3) persistent slabs failed naturally or with artificial triggers on Tuesday and Wednesday. Many of these were remotely triggered, highlighting the extreme sensitivity of the buried weak layer. These events appear to be on all elevations and aspects, but the distribution of this type of avalanche activity across the entire region is a little uncertain.
Snowpack Summary
New snow and strong winds are likely to create storm slabs and wind slabs on features lee to the south. This will also add load and stress to the already volatile persistent slab. There are a couple of highly reactive layers of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack, which have been responsible for lots of recent avalanches. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong, with any weak layers considered dormant for now. Snowpack depths are variable and shallow snowpack areas may have weak facetted crystals near the ground.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Numerous large persistent slabs have been triggered over the last few days on many aspects and elevations. New storm loading will only accentuate this problem.
Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.>Extra caution required in open terrain features at and below treeline.>Use conservative route selection and be aware of the potential for remote triggering. >Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
New snow and strong southerly winds are expected to create a storm slab problem. Storm slabs/ wind slabs may pick up a surprising amount of mass due to the existence of a persistent weak layer.
Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2016 2:00PM