Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2020 8:00AM

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

Parks Canada jonas hoke, Parks Canada

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Remember that there has not been a melt-freeze cycle at higher elevations as you transition into the alpine, stay well back from cornices, and avoid windloaded pockets when entering slopes.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A brief bout of high pressure gives relatively stable weather and cold temps until mid week.

Today: Mainly sunny. Treeline temps High -15 C. Light SW ridge wind.

Tonight: Clear periods. Treeline temps Low -18 C. Light SW ridge wind.

Tuesday: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Treeline temps -13 C. Light W wind.

Snowpack Summary

We received 15-20cm of low density snow in the wake of Saturdays storm. This sits on firm surfaces from the Extreme winds, 70mm of precip, and 2000m freezing level mid storm. Expect rugged travel in all but smooth open slopes below treeline - with 10-15cm of snow on a crust- and pockets of windslab in lees at treeline and in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was observed or reported locally yesterday. 

A widespread cycle of large to very large natural avalanches occurred during Saturdays storm. Avalanche control using artillery produced numerous size 3-3.5 avalanches from all aspects.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Fresh pockets of soft windslab that formed late in the storm linger on lee slopes. The deep and stiff widespread windslab that formed mid storm is generally unreactive, but may remain sensitive to large triggers like cornices in the alpine.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices grew significantly Saturday and deserve a wide berth. Stay well back from corniced ridges.

  • Minimize exposure to corniced features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 4th, 2020 8:00AM