Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 27th, 2016 4:30PM

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

Avalanche Canada brian webster, Avalanche Canada

Strong winds and new snow forecast for Thursday. Pay attention to changing conditions.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Strong westerly winds, freezing levels up to 1900 m, and 10-15 cm of new snow forecast for Thursday. Friday will bring cooling temperatures, light winds, and isolated flurries.

Snowpack Summary

30-50 cm of new snow overlies the January 6 weak layer which is surface hoar between 1500 and 2000 m and facets above this. Natural and explosive triggered avalanches have been observed on this layer in the past 48 hours. Strong westerly winds on Wednesday night have created fresh wind slabs at and above treeline. A rain crust exists below 1500 m

Avalanche Summary

Fresh avalanches in the alpine (up to size 2.5) have been observed in the Field and Emerald Lake area.

Monday's avalanche control work in Kootenay resulted in widespread avalanches between size 2 and 3 with fracture lines ranging from 25-50 cm deep failing on the Jan 6th layer of surface hoar and facets.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

With the incoming wind and precipitation, we can expect touchy conditions on lee features at treeline and above. These windslabs may trigger deeper persistent layers resulting in a larger avalanche.

  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The new snow is settling into a 30- 50 cm slab above the Jan. 6th surface hoar and facet layer. This layer is surface hoar between 1500 and 2000m and facets at higher elevations. Pit test indicate that this layer is reactive to skier triggering.

  • Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 28th, 2016 4:00PM