Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 20th, 2018 4:00PM

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

Parks Canada stephen holeczi, Parks Canada

There is still lots of uncertainty on how the surface hoar at treeline will react. Make conservative terrain choices at this elevation and take the time to look in the snowpack for this problem.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A few cm expected Sunday with increasing SW winds. Highs will be -5 to -8C at valley bottom and -12C at 3000m.

Snowpack Summary

Recent winds have developed windslabs on alpine and treeline lee slopes. In sheltered areas the upper snowpack has 20-30cm of soft slab over the Jan 6 surface hoar, and this layer has been reactive in test results. The Dec. 15 surface hoar layer is still a concern in the region, in many areas this layer is 50-80 cm down with a settled slab above.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity reported in this forecast region.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent snow and wind are have created new windslabs on lee slopes at alpine and treeline elevations. The winds have been from many different directions over the past few days and have formed these slabs on numerous aspects. 

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
The Dec 15 layer is a concern mainly at treeline around Field, Emerald Lake and Little Yoho - this is a very specific band, although avalanches initiated could run into areas below treeline.
Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 21st, 2018 4:00PM