Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 27th, 2015 5:01PM

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

Avalanche Canada brian webster, Avalanche Canada

A cooling trend should tighten up the snowpack below treeline. Pay attention to fresh  windslabs in the alpine.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud expected for Wednesday and Thursday. A cooling trend is forecasted with overnight freezing levels at the valley floor and rising to 1400 meters during the day. Ridge top winds will be moderate from the west.

Snowpack Summary

Very strong westerly winds have seriously blasted the region. Wind pressed snow and wind slabs in lee terrain can be expected in the alpine. On Tuesday the snowpack was isothermal below treeline in many areas, but we expect this condition to improve with forecasted cooler temperatures on Wednesday.

Avalanche Summary

The warm temperatures created a widespread avalanche cycle on Sunday and Monday. Tuesday saw slightly cooler temperatures and less natural activity. Avalanches observed were restricted to isothermal avalanches in shallow snowpack areas below treeline.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Very strong SW winds over the past few days have created deep windslabs above treeline. These slabs have the potential to trigger the deeper layers in the snowpack, making for a large avalanches. Avoid all windloaded terrain.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The Dec 18 surface hoar still exists in the upper 70 cm of the snowpack, and if triggered can produce a large avalanche. Areas to watch for would be open, north facing glades at treeline where surface hoar can persist for long periods of time.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 28th, 2015 4:00PM