Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 2nd, 2015 4:24PM

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

Avalanche Canada Lisa Paulson, Avalanche Canada

Good skiing can be found at above treeline.  Be mindful of Dec 18 surface hoar layer down 25-40 cm.  It is widespread in this region at and below treeline and will become a greater issue with more load.

Summary

Weather Forecast

10-12 cm new over the day.  The forecast is calling for cooler temperatures for tomorrow (-14C), light wind, and continued light flurries.  We can expect another 10 cm through the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

The main issue currently is the Dec.18 layer which is down 25-40 cm and sits on a crust/surface hoar combination at elevations below 2100 meters and on a facet/surface hoar combination at higher elevations. The surface hoar appears to be more prevalent below 2100 meters. Easy to mod shears found on this interface. Wind effect found in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported. A large settlement was observed on the Dec 18 surface hoar down 30 cm by a group en route to Isolated Col (on Thursday) and by groups in the Emerald slide path (on Friday).  Anything starting to slab up with wind effect seemed to produce the settlements.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

10-12 new today. Wind effect on Friday may have created small wind slabs in lee alpine terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The Dec 18 interface is down 25-40 cm is producing easy to moderate results with field tests. This layer may become more reactive with the forecasted additional loading.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2015 4:00PM