Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 16th, 2013 9:36AM

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

Avalanche Canada jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud is expected for the forecast period. Extreme northwest winds are expected to ease to strong on Friday, and then become light on Saturday. The possibility of an inversion will exist throughout the period; however, alpine temperatures should stay below freezing.

Avalanche Summary

No new significant avalanche observations have been reported from the region.

Snowpack Summary

Light amounts of loose snow may overlie windslabs which exist in unusual locations due to strong northwesterly winds. Below this around 60cm of settled snow rests on a myriad of old surfaces that were buried on January 4th. These surfaces include a sun crust on steep solar aspects, surface hoar in sheltered locations at treeline and below, and facets everywhere else. The bond at this interface seems to have strengthened somewhat with time. The overlying slab has also settled significantly.The midpack is reportedly well settled and strong with one or two (location specific) crusts deep in the snowpack. These crust/facets combos are largely dormant, with the only concern being triggering from a shallow snowpack area or with a heavy trigger.Cornices in the region are reported to be large and potentially unstable.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Strong northwest winds are expected to form new windslabs. Watch for loading in unusual locations. Cornices are also large and potentially unstable.
Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
Slopes that didn't slide in the last avalanche cycle are of particular concern. Watch for triggering on unsupported terrain.
Conditions are greatly improved, but be mindful that persistent instabilities are still present.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Jan 17th, 2013 2:00PM