Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 27th, 2013 9:28AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Monday: Flurries tonight becoming snow, expect 3-5 cms by morning combined with light west winds. Strong Northwest winds developing during the day as periods of snow bring another 3-5 cms.Tuesday: Flurries and continued moderate Northwest winds. Freezing levels rising to about 1200 metresWednesday: Continued flurries and cooling temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

Some loose dry snow sluffing to about size 1.0. Aggressive slope testing by snowmobiles on steep fans did not show any signs of triggering in the Crowsnest North area.

Snowpack Summary

There is a lot of variability in the recent storm snow amounts and the amount of wind effect across the region. Crowsnest North area has seen strong winds that have stripped South and West aspects. Sled tracks are only penetrating about 15 cms. The Harvey Pass area has seen a lot of wind. Thin stiff wind slabs have formed, and fetch areas have been stripped. The Crossing Creek area has seen less wind and about 20-30 cms of new snow. The storm snow has not been reported to be reacting as a cohesive slab.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Some pockets of stiff wind slab have developed in the alpine and at treeline. Areas that have seen less wind during the recent storm may have a thin soft storm slab or dry loose snow sluffing.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 28th, 2013 2:00PM