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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 31st, 2014–Jan 1st, 2015
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/links/goto_e.asp?destination=http://www.facebook.com/MRGnationalparks/posts/608542575941919The Special Public Avalanche Warning has been extended. While the clues of instability are becoming less obvious, the potential for triggering large avalanches remains. Continue to be conservative in terrain selection and dig down to test the layers.

Weather Forecast

Expect increasing cloud and slightly inverted temps today. Valley bottom temps may rise to -12'C, while alpine temps may rise to -8'C with moderate southerly winds. Thursday will become cloudy with a warming trend, a high of -4'C and possible flurries. Flurries will continue on Friday with accumulations up to  8cm and W'ly winds gusting to strong.

Snowpack Summary

Cold temps are facetting the upper snow, while N'ly winds shifted to S'ly creating widespread windslabs. The Dec 17 surface hoar layer is down ~50-70cm and on top of a thick rain crust up to 2100m. This layer is widespread and highly reactive in many areas. The Dec 9 surface hoar is down ~ 70-90cm but is more spotty in distribution.

Avalanche Summary

There continue to be daily reports of rider triggered avalanches failing on the Dec17 surface hoar. Many have been remotely triggered, sometimes triggering slopes overhead. Yesterday, skiers triggered small slabs descending from Lookout Col, and Monday skiers triggered a size 2 ascending Youngs Peak. The 1m deep windslab was 150m wide and ran 300m.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

A touchy surface hoar layer continues to be reactive. Avalanches continue to be triggered, even in areas that have been heavily traveled. Some areas offer no clues of instability, but the potential for large avalanches exist.
Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.Use conservative route selection, stick to moderate angled terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Sustained moderate to strong winds shifted from the north to the south yesterday. With lots of snow available to transport, expect widespread and touchy windslabs. A size 2 windslab was triggered by skiers on Monday (see details tab).
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3