Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2014 8:00AM

The alpine rating is considerable, 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

Summary

Weather Forecast

A series of disturbances will start making their way east over our region. Flurries will bring 5-10cm today/tonight. Light alpine winds. Freezing levels hovering between 1000-1200m.

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar that formed over the last few days has now been buried by 2-3cm of snow overnight. Settlement of recent storm snow continues in upper snowpack. Thin sun crust was observed on steep south aspects. 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

A couple of size 2-2.5 slabs from high elevation, steep start zones on Mt Tupper were observed yesterday. Riders reported surface sluffing from steeper terrain.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
The 40-50cm of snow from last week's storm continues to settle. Resistant planar results were seen in snow tests yesterday on this layer.
The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
Snowpack tests continue to show sudden planar results deeper in the snowpack (down 120cm). Caution is still needed when traveling into lee or cross-loaded features.
Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2014 8:00AM