Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 6th, 2019 4:56PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
kdevine,
Avalanche Canada
As the storm eases off and temperatures drop, the snowpack is beginning to gain some strength. However, storm slabs are still likely to be encountered at upper elevations and could be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Wednesday
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries / southwest winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine low temperature near -8MONDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / west winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -8TUESDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / southeast winds, 15-20 km/h / alpine high temperature near -4 WEDNESDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm / south winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -5
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, several explosives triggered avalanches to size 2 were reported in the region at or near treeline on all aspects.On Saturday, a few natural avalanches to size 2 were reported in the region on north to northeast aspects at or near treeline. Of note, a remotely triggered (triggered from a distance) size 2.5 avalanche was reported on Saturday on a southeast aspect at 2150 m. The avalanche occurred in a terrain features where the snowpack varied in depth from deep to shallow.On Friday, several explosives triggered avalanches size 1.5-2.5, natural avalanches size 1-2 and human triggered avalanches size 1 were reported in the region.
Snowpack Summary
25-40 cm of recent snow has fallen in the region. Moderate to strong winds will be promoting widespread slab formation. The storm snow sits on several layers of small surface hoar (feathery crystals) and thin crusts. Recent snowpack tests suggest the snow may be poorly bonded to these layers in some areas. The most prominent weak layer in the snowpack is layer that formed in early December and is buried approximately 70-110 cm. This layer consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer, however a large load, such as a cornice fall may still have the potential to trigger large avalanches on this layer.
Problems
Storm Slabs
25-40 cm of recent storm snow may continue to be reactive to human triggering. It is likely that slabs will be most reactive in wind loaded areas.
If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 7th, 2019 2:00PM
