Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 22nd, 2019 4:39PM

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

Avalanche Canada kdevine, Avalanche Canada

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New snow and wind will mean that storm slabs are likely to be encountered, and may be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT - Flurries, 5-10 cm / southwest winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine low temperature near -6 / freezing level 700 mWEDNESDAY- Cloudy with sunny periods / northwest winds, 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -3 / Freezing level 1200 mTHURSDAY - Mainly cloudy / northwest winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1000 m FRIDAY - Mainly cloudy / northwest winds, 40-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1500 m

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, a few size 1 human triggered avalanches were reported on southeast aspects, and wind loaded features. On Sunday, several explosives triggered avalanches to size 2 were reported in the region at or near treeline on all aspects.On Saturday, a few natural avalanches to size 2 were reported in the region on north to northeast aspects at or near treeline. Of note, a remotely triggered (triggered from a distance) size 2.5 avalanche was reported on Saturday on a southeast aspect at 2150 m. The avalanche occurred in a terrain feature where the snowpack varied in depth from deep to shallow.

Snowpack Summary

30-50 cm of recent snow has fallen in the region. Moderate to strong winds will be promoting widespread slab formation. The storm snow sits on several layers of small surface hoar (feathery crystals) and thin crusts. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the snow may be poorly bonded to these layers in some areas. The most prominent weak layer in the snowpack is layer that formed in early December and is buried approximately 70-110 cm. This layer consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer, however a large load, such as a cornice fall may still have the potential to trigger large avalanches on this layer.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
30-50 cm of recent storm snow may continue to be reactive to human triggering. It is likely that slabs will be most reactive in wind loaded areas.
Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2019 2:00PM