Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2013 9:05AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Friday: 2-5 cms is expected overnight combined with strong Westerly winds. Another 2-5 cms is forecast during the day as the winds lower to moderate values. The next pulse of moisture is expected to start late Friday night or Saturday morning and could bring 5-10 cms.Saturday: Overcast with Light flurries and -11.0 in the alpine.Sunday :Light flurries in the morning with a chance of broken skies in the afternoon.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

Variable hard surfaces like wind slabs and sun crusts developed during the recent period with no precipitation. Some areas have a weak layer of surface hoar and/or surface facets that were on top of the hard sliding layers that are now buried. The new storm snow has not bonded well to these old surfaces, but reports suggest that the new snow has not consolidated into a cohesive slab. Forecast snow is expected to continue to develop a storm slab above the weak layers and sliding surfaces.

Problems

Storm Slabs

A new storm slab is expected to develop due to the forecast new snow and wind. The new snow is not expected to bond well to the old hard surfaces. There may also be a weak layer of surface hoar or facets sandwiched between the new snow and the crusts

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2013 2:00PM