Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 21st, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
kdevine,
Avalanche Canada
Recent fresh snow has been redistributed into pockets of wind slab at tree line and in the alpine. Use caution in wind exposed terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the fact that persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries / southwest wind, 10-30 km/h / alpine low temperature near -8
WEDNESDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / southwest wind, 10-25 km/h / alpine high temperature near -8
THURSDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm / southwest wind, 25-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1500 m
FRIDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm / south wind, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1500 m
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity has quieted down over the past few days, but recent snowfall and moderate southerly winds will mean that there will likely be fresh wind slabs, with the most reactive being in exposed terrain in the alpine and at treeline.
There have been no recent reports of persistent slab avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
The south of the region received around 10 to 20 cm of snow over the weekend. The snow was accompanied by moderate southerly winds and relatively warm temperatures, which will mean that the new snow has likely formed wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline.
The main concern over the past couple of weeks has been a layer of surface hoar buried 60 to 120 cm deep. This layer is primarily a concern at treeline and below. It appears to be gaining strength, though test results indicate that there is still the potential to trigger it in isolated areas.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Approach steep open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, buried surface hoar may exist.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may be sensitive to human triggering, especially near ridge crest.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A layer of surface hoar is buried 60 to 120 cm deep. It has not produced any avalanches in the past week. Places where this layer could be triggered include open glades in the trees and shallow snowpack areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2020 5:00PM
