Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 9th, 2016 8:00AM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Dry.

danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Just because the bulletin is green doesn't mean there is nothing to think about out there. Big objectives are being thrown down but they are done safely by maintaining safe travel techniques and smart terrain management.

Summary

Weather Forecast

There will be very little change in the weather over the next few days. Expect thin high cloud with sunny breaks, and with some random flurries adding a little sparkle to the air. Temps will range from -15 to -8 with light northerly winds at ridgetop.

Snowpack Summary

6cm of light snow over the past week buried a variety of surfaces. On steep S to SW aspects it covers a sun crust and surface hoar. On other aspects it overlies 10-15cm of loose faceted snow. In wind-exposed alpine areas it may hide old, thin windslabs. Below this sits a very strong and settled snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no new natural avalanches observed in the past few days. Earlier this week loose avalanches were triggered by wind-loading from extreme terrain on north aspects, running into avalanches fans. Skiers and snowboarders continue to trigger small sluffs on steep terrain.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

Watch for sluffing on steep slopes where the loose facetted snow moves easily. Be cautious where gullies may funnel the sluff, making it bigger, or in areas where a sluff could knock you over a cliff.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 10th, 2016 8:00AM