Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 9th, 2021 8:12AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Mike Smallwood,
Close calls are being reported as skiers and riders step out into higher consequence terrain. Watch your partners from a safe place and approach exposed features with caution
Summary
Weather Forecast
Sun and cloud today, nil precipitation and light SW wind. Tonight increasing SW wind. Tomorrow flurries of snow to 5cm and rising temperatures. Wind increases to strong SW Sunday night and Monday with 10cm of snow.
Snowpack Summary
A thin crust formed yesterday on S and W aspects at all elevations and surface hoar 5mm in the shade to treeline. 90cm of recent snow has begun to settle. Dec 26 Surface Hoar is preserved down 80 in sheltered areas at and below treeline. The Dec 7th surface hoar/crust/facet layer is down 1.5m. Crusts and facets persist at the base of the snowpack
Avalanche Summary
Several natural avalanches were observed yesterday to sz 2.5 mostly from solar aspects. Size 1-1.5s are catching people out in high consequence terrain in the park as well as nearby. Several skier accidentals were reported the backcountry around RMR on Wednesday to size 2.5 including one burial to the neck
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
SW wind during the last storm has formed wind slabs in exposed terrain features in the Alpine and exposed areas of Tree Line. There have been several close calls recently involving windslabs in high consequence terrain in the surrounding area
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The Dec 26th surface hoar is now buried 90cm below the surface, within the triggerable range. This is most likely preserved in sheltered or shady areas at and below treeline
- Be wary of large slopes that did not previously avalanche.
- If triggered the persistent slab may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 10th, 2021 8:00AM
