Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 4th, 2020 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Parks Canada deryl kelly, Parks Canada

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Step out into the terrain cautiously!

More information and observations are needed to get an accurate picture of the effects the new snow to the snowpack.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Scattered flurries through the day Wednesday with as much as 4cm accumulation. Cold temps and steady SW-ly alpine winds.

See Weather synopsis here: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow, up to 50cm has blanketed much of the southern forecast region. Previous mid-pack bridging over deeper instabilities is supporting the new load over the basal facets and depth hoar. This new load and bridging has not been significantly field tested, treat the snowpack carefully.

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility, treeline and above. Varied explosive results on the storm interface and on the persistent facet/depth hoar combos at the bottom of the snowpack. Obvious deep persistent release on Parkers Slabs produced size 2.5 - 3.0's; moving fast and leaving large impressive (~2m) crowns.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New and building windslabs present in the forecast region. Slab sensitivity will vary; with potentially wide variations over a small area. Assess each slope independently.

  • If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Up to 50 cm during the recent storm with Mod SW winds.

  • The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

Recent 50 cm of new snow has the potential to overload this weakness

  • If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 5th, 2020 4:00PM