Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 5th, 2020 8:21AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.
ross campbell,
Parks Canada
The hazard could rise this afternoon if the weather arrives earlier than forecasted.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries today, moderate winds from the SW, and the freezing level will stay below valley bottom. Winds and temperatures are expected to rise around 4 pm, as a frontal passage passes over Rogers Pass. More flurries tonight and tomorrow, 5 cm on Friday, and 8cm on Saturday, with freezing levels gradually rising.
Snowpack Summary
Yesterday's moderate wind produced wind slabs on immediate lees, and cross-loaded terrain features in the alpine and exposed areas of treeline. We have received 20-30cm of low-density snow since the atmospheric river event last weekend, which brought with it:70mm of precipitation, freezing levels to 2000m and extreme winds (to 181km/hr).
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanche activity was observed in the Highway Corridor or reported from the backcountry yesterday. Helicopter control on Ross Peak Slide Path produced limited results to size 2.5, one slab failed at glacier ice for the second time this Winter.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Yesterday's moderate wind produced wind slabs on immediate lees, and cross-loaded terrain features in the alpine and exposed areas of treeline.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices have grown significantly thanks to our Atmospheric River last weekend. The number of Cornice failures has declined in the last 48 hours but, they are still susceptible to failure and have the potential to trigger large avalanches.
- Minimize exposure to corniced features.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices; which could trigger large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 6th, 2020 8:00AM
