Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2012 3:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night's storm is forecasted to bring 10 - 15 cm of medium density snow to the region along with monster winds out of the W/SW in excess of 100 km/h. Lingering precip will still be present at breakfast time but precip should cease before lunch. Winds are expected to be a factor all day, although they will taper from extreme to strong values at ridge top in the afternoon. A weak system is expected to brush by the area Thursday but very little precip is expected at this time. High pressure moves in Thursday afternoon & sticks in place through Friday.

Avalanche Summary

Very little avalanche activity has been reported or observed recently.

Snowpack Summary

Last week 40-60cm of snow formed soft slabs over a crust/facet/surface hoar combo which has settled remarkably quickly. Our field team was out over the weekend covering ground & they saw very little in the way of avalanche activity.Deeper in the snowpack, a surface hoar layer buried in early December remains a concern, as avalanches triggered on this layer would be destructive. There may have been releases on this layer post storm but at this time nothing has been reported. It should be noted that basal facets exist in many parts of the region too. Facets sandwiched between two firm layers in the top metre of the snowpack are being monitored in the south-east.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Winds are expected to be in excess of 100 km/h Wednesday morning, tapering in the afternoon. These winds will affect both the alpine and treeline elevation bands. Expect potentially sensitive wind slabs on slopes lee to the W, SW winds.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Tuesday nights storm is forecasted to bring 10 - 15 cm to the region. Watch for small loose snow avalanches in protected areas & soft slab avalanches in areas that are exposed to even a small amount of wind.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2012 8:00AM

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