Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 13th, 2018 3:06PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
istorm,
Avalanche Canada
With warm temperatures forecast at higher elevations we know avalanche conditions will become increasingly sensitive. Conservative trips and careful terrain selection is recommended.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
Saturday and Saturday Night: Southerly winds are ushering in very warm air at treeline elevations and higher creating a strong temperature inversion.SUNDAY: Strong temperature inversion continues with treeline and alpine temperatures around +5 C with moderate southerly winds. Valley fog with sunshine above. Dry with southerly winds from the southeast. MONDAY: Similar conditions to Sunday but a little cooler with mid and high level clouds. Winds decreasing to light and backing to the east.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, and temperatures slightly cooler again. The inversion breaks down as the warm ridge moves out of the region.
Avalanche Summary
No recent information of avalanche activity has been received.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 30 cm of powdery snow is preserved in wind protected areas; however, in alpine and wind exposed locations there is variable wind effect and probably some slabs. This recent snow (around 20-30 cm) overlies various surfaces including a freezing rain crust (which was reported as being hard in the alpine and breakable below treeline), old sun crusts and wind slabs.A variable weak layer that formed in mid-December can be found in the upper snowpack. This mid-December layer is comprised of crusts on solar aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered locations.The lower snowpack is generally well-settled with two prominent crusts. The late-November crust can be found 30-50 cm below the surface and the October crust is near the base of the snowpack.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent winds from variable directions have formed wind slabs in lee features. Wind slabs are likely to become more reactive with warm temperatures, at least in the short term.
Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind-loaded snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 14th, 2018 2:00PM
