Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 17th, 2014–Jan 18th, 2014

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/scond/Cond_E.asp?oID=15693&oPark=100205Warm temperatures and sunshine this weekend will cause natural avalanches, especially on south-facing aspects.

Weather Forecast

A strong inversion is setting up in the area, where valley bottoms will likely be near freezing, but alpine temperatures could rise to +5*C. These warm temperatures, coupled with strong sunshine, will pack quite a punch in destabilizing the snowpack on solar aspects. Light westerly winds are expected over the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Over a meter of new snow from the last week is settling. It sits on a surface hoar/graupel layer. Strong SW winds have formed slabs in exposed areas at all elevations. Rain below 1300m formed a crust. The mid pack is well settled with the Nov28 surface hoar layer down around 2m where present. The facetted base is showing signs of strengthening.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed yesterday. Click on https://www.facebook.com/ParksMountainSafety to see images of the latest avalanche cycle this past Monday.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Natural avalanches are expected from solar aspects if the high, thin cloud breaks up. Over a metre of new snow may have trouble adjusting to intense sunshine and high freezing levels over the next 48hrs.

Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Avoid exposure to solar aspects overhead, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Strong winds formed windslabs at all elevations and on all aspects. These windslabs sit on a low density layer and can be triggered by light loads. Be cautious in areas where even a small avalanche can have large consequences, ie over cliffs.

Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Be cautious in areas that have not avalanched. The recent avalanche cycle showed the reactivity of the snowpack to rapid loading and its capability to produce very large avalanches. Cornices could be the large trigger to break down to the deep layers

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 3 - 4