Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 31st, 2013 8:19AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.

jon schleiss, Parks Canada

Glacier.

A field team yesterday encountered slab conditions that were very touchy at treeline. More wind and new snow overnight will cause these conditions to continue today. Watch out for windslabs. The hazard will rise again on the weekend with warming.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light to moderate snowfall today brings 5-10cm today, then tapers off on friday as a ridge builds bringing warm temperatures for the weekend and a rising freezing line. This freezing line will rise to 1300m on Friday and up to 2000m on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 70cm of low density new snow and strong winds in the last 24hrs. Winds slabs have formed. Overnight 11cm with 14.3mm at Fidelity. The Nov 6 crust is down 200cm.

Avalanche Summary

25 new avalanches recorded along the highway from early on the 30th.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Over 24 hours of strong winds at treeline and in the alpine have formed easy to trigger windslabs. Be cautious near ridges or other areas where the wind may have formed slabs. Watch for shooting cracks as a sign for soft slabs.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

Strong winds in the last 24hrs and lots of deep soft snow available for wind transport have created storm/wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. Be aware of soft slab formation in the lee of features at ridgelines.

Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Choose regroup spots that are out of avalanche terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

50 to 70cm of light storm snow will sluff easily in steep terrain. Use caution near terrain traps like cliffs and gullies.

Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 1st, 2013 8:00AM