Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 3rd, 2012 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada aaron beardmore, Avalanche Canada

< 5cm of new snow is expected tonight; this will have little effect on the danger rating. A 2nd pulse in the storm track may produce up to 20cm at higher elevation on Thurs with mod to strong wind. Watch for loading and fresh wind-slabs.

Summary

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs up to 1m deep are triggerable by climbers and riders in avalanche terrain. One thing to observe is the hardness of the slab; the greater the hardness, the greater the propagation potential. In sum, this means large avalanches are possible.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
The basal facets/depth hoar are becoming less reactive in field tests, but If a wind slab is initiated, it may have enough volume to step down to create larger avalanches. Other trigger points will be thin, cross-loaded features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 4th, 2012 4:00PM