Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 28th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Mikey,
Avalanche Canada
We are in a bit of a stagnant pattern until it snows. The danger rating is decreasing in alpine terrain but human triggerring is still POSSIBLE. 10-20cm of new snow is on the horizon for Saturday...
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Wednesday will be a mix of sun and cloud with temperatures around -5C. Winds will be light in the Am and then increasing throughout the day. No significant precip is expected.
Avalanche Summary
On the snow study helicopter flight today, we had an extensive look around and only found a few loose dry avalanches out of steep unskiable terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Today, we tagged along by helicopter with the crew that does monitoring of the snowpack for spring melt. To the East of highway 40, the bottom half of the snowpack is mostly facets with the height of snow around 100cm. The last week of warmer weather is having a slow effect on the snowpack with weaker temperature gradients and starting to see some of those mid-pack facets rounding. In general, we have a well settled snowpack with several generations of wind slabs in the top 50 cm in the alpine. All of this is still sitting on the November facet/crust combo.
Terrain and Travel
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes at and above treeline.
Problems
Wind Slabs
There are several generations of wind slabs that need some more time to heal.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
It is worth to dig a pit to ground to see the severity of this basal layer. If it hasnt yet slid, treat it with a high degree of suspicion and respect. If it goes, it will be big.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 29th, 2020 4:00PM
