Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 8th, 2013 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Jon Schleiss,
Parks Canada
Be aware of soft slabs where the wind has affected the snow over the last week. Watch out for solar induced avalanches if the sun comes out today, especially on thin or rocky steep south aspects.
Summary
Weather Forecast
The weather becomes drier over the next few days as a ridge builds over this region. Expect treeline temperatures of -5 for today with a warm-up to -3 on Saturday. Today the freeze line will rise to 700m, and on Saturday it will rise to 1100m. The winds are forecast to be light to moderate from the NW.
Snowpack Summary
Soft slabs have formed in the alpine and treeline from wind transported storm snow. On solar aspects, these slabs sit on a sun crust (formed on Feb. 3rd). The mid-pack is generally strong, but has become weaker in shallow areas and around trees and rocks.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche control operations in the park Wednesday produced 30+ avalanches on all aspects. Most of these involved surface soft slabs, running to end path or the top of the fans. Two larger avalanches ran to the highway. There were no avalanches reported along the TCH yesterday.
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds are back in the loading range, and the slabs that formed previously remain a concern. Expect pockets of slab in lee features and near ridge crests. These slabs may sit on a sun crust on S+W aspects.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be careful with wind loaded pockets
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 9th, 2013 8:00AM
