Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 7th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
Benjamin Firth,
Parks Canada
Avoid avalanche terrain. A great time to go to the ski hill.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Up to 30cm of new snow with light west winds forecasted for the next 12-18 hours and then clearing late Wednesday morning. Cooler temperatures and clearer skies forecasted for late Wednesday into Friday with light to moderate winds from the west.
Visit CAA's Mountain Weather Forecast for more specific details.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30cm of new snow forecasted could overlie last weeks storm snow. Possible wind slab formation could occur on lee aspects in the alpine and treeline. These would overlie buried surface hoar up to 2200m in sheltered areas. Wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. The bottom of the snowpack consists of depth hoar and facets
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity expected to increase tomorrow with new snow, this will be dependent on the amounts received. No new natural avalanche activity observed or reported today due to limited field observations. Avalanches could run full path and into below treeline.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow will bury and could trigger existing wind slabs as well as form new ones at treeline and above. Consider avoiding terrain which is thin to thick and/or significant overhead wind loaded features.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
This weakness could be triggered by large loads or from thin spots in the snowpack.
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
- Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Caution in steep gullies and terrain traps where a small sluff could have large consequences. Avoid terrain where this problem can initiate slab avalanches on deeper layers.
- Watch for terrain traps where small amounts of snow will acumulate into deep deposits.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 8th, 2020 4:00PM
