Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 2nd, 2013 8:10AM

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

ali haeri, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Our next persistent weak layer is now buried down 30-40cm. Be careful in your route selection to minimize exposure.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Lingering flurries today with temperatures cooling off. Winds are expected to pick up from the north gusting to 65km/h. Skies clearing tomorrow and into the week with temperatures plummeting from an arctic high pressure ridge pushing into the province.

Snowpack Summary

30-40 cm of recent storm snow sits over the November 28 surface hoar/crust layer which had widespread distribution. The November 12 surface hoar layer present at higher elevations is down 60-120cm

Avalanche Summary

6 natural slab avalanches size 2.0 were observed east of the Rogers Pass summit from Mt Macdonald and Mt Tupper yesterday.

Confidence

Problems

Storm Slabs

Winds are expected to increase today, expect soft slabs at higher elevations that will be easily triggered by riders as sits is over a surface hoar layer. Lower down sluffs can gain mass and have larger consequences than expected.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A surface hoar layer down 60-120cm will have large consequences if triggered by a rider. Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering this layer is more likely.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 3rd, 2013 8:00AM