Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2013 8:20AM

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

ali haeri, Parks Canada

Glacier.

A lull between storms today but be cautious in your terrain selection as conditions have not improved given yesterdays new snow and last nights winds.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A weak ridge of high pressure will keep things mainly dry today until a frontal system arrives this evening bringing moderate amounts into Wednesday. Some clearing skies can be expected in the eastern regions before clouding over this afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

60 cm of storm snow overlies a variety of surfaces ranging from sun crust on south and west aspects to surface hoar on north and east. The surface hoar buried is largest between 1500-2000m. The mid-pack is well settled and the Nov 6 crust is down 150 to 180cm.

Avalanche Summary

Four avalanches to size 2.0, two size 2.5 and one size 3.0 were down in the highway corridor yesterday. All natural slab avalanches.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

Weak layers such as surface hoar, sun crust or facets, depending on your aspect and elevation, are now buried 40 to 60cm deep. These are in the range of skier triggering and wider propagation as the slab settles.

Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Higher elevations saw strong overnight winds creating wind slabs over buried weak layers.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2013 8:00AM