Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 9th, 2014 8:00AM

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

Parks Canada chris gooliaff, Parks Canada

Enjoy the snow today, as we'll be heading into a natural avalanche cycle this weekend.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Unsettled conditions today will bring flurries amounting to 5-10cm today, with light/moderate west winds and freezing levels near valley bottom. Friday and into the weekend looks snowy with significant precipitation coming our way...juicy!

Snowpack Summary

5-10cm of low density snow now overlies various snow surfaces (surface hoar up to 1900m, thin sun crust on steep S aspects). Last week's storm slab continues to bond, with only resistant planar results in tests. Mid pack is well settled. Lower snowpack still has more facetted crystals but is showing signs of strength more typical for this region.

Avalanche Summary

No natural activity was observed in the park yesterday, and skiers continued to report surface sluffing from steeper terrain.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
The storm slab is bonding well, as indicated in snowpack tests throughout the park. Use caution when entering wind-affected areas in the alpine and at tree-line.
Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
The persistent weak layers are now fairly deep in the snowpack. They will need either a sizeable trigger to propagate to them, or a person tromping around in a thin wind-affected area.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 10th, 2014 8:00AM