Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 7th, 2012 9:16AM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSummary
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Snowfall become heavy in the afternoon, Forecast amounts to 30cm / Strong southwest winds / Freezing levels rising to 1800mMonday: Continued heavy snowfall tapering off in the afternoon / Moderate to strong southwest winds / Freezing levels dropping from 1400m to 700m as snowfall tapers offTuesday: Clear skies with no precipitation / Winds switching to light and northerly / Freezing level dropping to surface
Avalanche Summary
There was a recent size 2 natural reported on a north facing moraine feature at 1900m. Please send us your observations (professional or recreational) to forecaster@avalache.ca.
Snowpack Summary
At treeline, the snowpack sits at about 260cm.In the upper snowpack, weaknesses within and under last week's 80cm of storm snow will need some time to settle and fully strengthen.Persistent weaknesses remain a concern in the many parts of the region. In the mid-pack, facets with an associated crust (resulting from the early December dry spell) at treeline and alpine areas are probably down well over a metre in most places. This layer still seems to be reactive, particularly in shallow areas or terrain with variable snow depths (cross-loaded features, moraines). In the lower snowpack, basal facets from early november should also be on your radar. They may just be waiting for the right trigger (current heavy storm snow loading, cornice fall, step-down avalanches). Any activity on either of these persistent weaknesses would be highly destructive in nature.Expect further storm slab/wind slab development with forecast weather.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 8th, 2012 8:00AM