Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 30th, 2014 8:00AM

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

danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Glacier.

We didn't get enough snow for a reset, but it is enough to change conditions. Time to rein it in a little.

Summary

Weather Forecast

An arctic front passing through the area today will bring light flurries. Moderate northerly winds are expected as the front passes, and temperatures will drop through the day as the arctic air settles in. Overnight a ridge of high pressure will build. We will be back into a drought with clear skies, no snow, and temps of -10 to -16 expected.

Snowpack Summary

5cm of snow has buried various surfaces, with moderate winds moving it around. On steep solar aspects it will bond poorly to a suncrust, and elsewhere it will help preserve surface hoar and surface facets. In the alpine it hides hard windslabs and challenging skiing. The mid-pack is well settled and strong, with weaker basal layers.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanches were observed yesterday. Recently, field teams were able to ski-cut thin (5cm) hard slabs in wind affected areas in the alpine. There are also reports of small loose avalanches (sluffs) triggered by skiers in steep terrain on shaded slopes.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable

Problems

Loose Dry

5cm of snow will bond poorly to the various surfaces; sun crust and surface hoar; it has buried. Expect sluffing in steep terrain. Be cautious in terrain like confined gullies, where snow can accumulate deeper, or exposed areas over cliffs.

Watch for terrain traps where small amounts of snow will acumulate into deep deposits.On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Moderate winds, from variable directions, will transport the new snow, forming slightly deeper soft slabs along ridge crest and breaks in terrain. These soft slabs will bond poorly to the surfaces below. On exposed alpine slopes they bury hardslabs.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 31st, 2014 8:00AM