Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 2nd, 2016 8:00AM

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

ian gale, Parks Canada

Glacier.

The new snow is gaining strength however previous winds have loaded lee features in the alpine. Below that the Jan 4th layer may be a "sleeping giant"

Summary

Weather Forecast

Another cool cloudy day today with light west winds, alpine temps to -10C and freezing level to 500m . Wednesday looks similar but models show precip on the way Wednesday night through to Saturday. Possibly amounting to 25 cm.

Snowpack Summary

Last week's storm produced 50cm of storm snow which is now settling and gaining strength. Soft wind slabs should be expected on lee features after mod-strong S-SW winds on the weekend. Jan 4th interface down 60-100cm and is still producing sporadic whumfing and is possible to trigger especially in less traveled areas or where snowpack is thin.

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanche activity has tapered off with the cooling temps, however with clear breaks yesterday evidence of many large recent avalanches were observed. WIth lots of available snow to transport any increase in winds could create a more cohesive slab.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

The recent storm slab is gaining strength. The exception is in Alpine or at treeline where mod S-SW winds may have created a soft windslab. On lee and exposed features the cohesive slab could be 60cm thick. Slides may step down to deeper weak layers.

If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The Jan 4th interface was rapidly overloaded & woke up during last weeks storm. This layer is tricky to assess as it is not evenly distributed & sporadically reactive. It's down 60-90cm & was still producing whumfs yesterday in the Cannaught drainage

Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2016 8:00AM