Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 3rd, 2021 4:19PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
Darren Vonk,
Highway 93N is open. Work in to the terrain cautiously. Avalanche control on Sunday produced several size 3 avalanches that stepped down to basal weakness. Allow time for the snowpack to heal with the new load.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Monday: Mainly cloudy and will see light flurries, Up to 5cm with winds gusting to 40km/h from the SW
Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods, No new snow and winds again gusting to 50km/h from the SW
Wednesday: Will again see 5cm more snow and winds up to 40km/h from the SW
Snowpack Summary
45cm HST seems to be bonding well to 25-40cm of soft snow over a firm mid-pack with facets and depth hoar lingering near the ground. Mid-December persistent layers, including SH, and SH/FC combos can be found down 40-60cm but, only in isolated and sheltered locations, and almost exclusively in the Icefields region
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche control on highway 93N today had varied results from no results to several size 3 wind slabs stepping down to deep basal weakness on all aspects in the alpine. Multiple powder clouds and debris hitting the highway.
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Confidence
Due to the quality of field observations
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent new snow 45cm and southwesterly winds are creating new wind slabs that are primed for human triggering.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created reactive slabs.
- If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
During avalanche control today on highway 93N, Several avalanches stepped down to basal weakness. This is the first time we have seen the basal weakness fail this season. Caution!
- Avoid thin, rocky or unsupported slopes.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger the deep persistent slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Steep rocky faces, slopes above gully's all hold enough snow to sluff off and bury you deeply if caught in a terrain trap. Caution in these area's
- Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.
- Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 4th, 2021 4:00PM
