Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 2nd, 2020 8:06AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
ross campbell,
Parks Canada
Natural avalanches have tapered off in the last 12 hours; however, human triggered avalanches remain likely. Avalanches were running full path yesterday, and could easily do the same today!
Summary
Weather Forecast
A brief reprieve from the recent onslaught of precipitation today; however, the heavy precipitation has been replaced by strong Southerly winds. Expect cooler temperatures today, and a mix of sun and cloud. Tomorrow a upper level warm front passes over Rogers Pass depositing another 20cm, strong to extreme wind and rising temperatures.
Snowpack Summary
50-70cm of storm snow now sits on the Dec 27th surface hoar. Strong S-SW winds are redistributing the storm snow on lee features in the Alpine and exposed areas of Treeline. The mid and lower snowpack has been settling and gaining strength; however, the Dec 11th surface hoar (5-12mm) still persists down 120-160cm.
Avalanche Summary
Widespread natural and Artillery triggered avalanche cycle yesterday up to size 3.5, all aspects and elevations. Numerous Naturals observed in the Highway Corridor (limited observations, due to poor visibility). 70 Artillery rounds fired, with good results. Some paths ran sympathetically to size 3.
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
At Treeline we have received 50cm+ of storm snow in the last 36 hours! Winds increased in the overnight period to strong out of the south, but temperatures are cooling. Natural activity has decreased, but human triggering remains likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Storm slabs have the potential to step down to our Persistent Weak Layer problems (December 11th and 27th Surface Hoar). The 27th is buried by our most recent storm snow and the Dec 11th layer is now buried well over a meter.
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2020 8:00AM
