Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 9th, 2017 8:04AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.

andrew jones, Parks Canada

Glacier.

With mid-storm conditions, today's best skiing will be in the trees!

Summary

Weather Forecast

We are in mid-storm conditions. 17cm of snow is forecast for today, 15cm for tonight, and 10cm for Friday. Freezing levels will rise rapidly this morning reaching 1400m. Ridge winds will be moderate from the SW with gusts to 60km/h. The atmospheric pressure is expected to rise on Saturday with a return to clear skies for the end of the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

15cm of new snow overnight was accompanied by moderate NE winds. The new snow overlies a persistent slab which in turn sits on a variety of surfaces down 40-50cm; sun crust on steep solar slopes, windslabs in the alpine and gully features, small surface hoar and facets. New snow will further destabilize this existing layer.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday before the storm, skiers observed widespread whumpfing and cracking in the persistent slab layer in treeline areas. On steep rolling terrain, this layer has been initiated with ski cuts producing size 1 to 1.5 avalanches. With ongoing heavy precipitation, avalanche activity will increase today.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

Heavy loading from recent storms has created widespread storm slabs. With more snow and wind for today, natural avalanches on this layer are likely. This is a problem to avoid today, staying clear of large open avalanche terrain above tree line.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

With 15cm of new snow overnight and 18cm on the way today, expect to see loose dry avalanches occurring naturally from steep terrain. Even steep open lines below tree line will require some sluff management today.

Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.Sluffs may trigger deeper instabilities.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 10th, 2017 8:00AM