Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 9th, 2014–Jan 10th, 2014

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high

Below Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high

Regions: Glacier.

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

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

Avalanche Problems

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

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