Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2019 8:00AM

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

Chris Gooliaff, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Cold temperatures may make newly-formed cornices brittle and easier to trigger. Watch for the impact of the sun on steep, southern aspects today.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cold and clear today. Alpine high of -10*C, light ridge-top winds from the east, and plenty of sunshine. A system moves through tonight, bringing flurries Wed/Thurs that amount to 15-20cm. Temp's will warm up considerably, with freezing levels forecasted to rise to 1800m on Wed. Winds will be moderate from the SW.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snowfall has been redistributed in the alpine by moderate SW winds. As a result, soft windslabs and wind-rows exist at alpine and tree-line lee areas. Persistent weak layers from December are buried deep in the snowpack and need a large trigger to wake up. Cornices did grow and are present along ridge crests.

Avalanche Summary

No natural avalanche activity was observed yesterday. A field team in the Dome Glacier area found soft windslab at upper elevations, stubborn/unreactive to ski-cutting.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate SW winds from the past several days formed a soft slab in lee and cross-loaded features. Tests showed this slab being stubborn to react, especially with the cold temps. They may be easier to initiate on convex rolls or steep S aspects.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2019 8:00AM