Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 7th, 2015 5:09PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Storm Slabs.
grant statham,
Avalanche Canada
Avalanche control today produced good results, confirming that there is a high likelihood of triggering avalanches. This avalanche problem will persist for a while yet, as the weak layer is surface hoar which only heals with time. Avoid start zones.
Summary
Weather Forecast
NW flow continues but with a break in the weather systems for Thursday. Expect clearing skies and temperatures falling to between -10 and -15 and falling winds. Friday the temperatures will warm back up again, with the possibility of light precipitation.
Snowpack Summary
The prominent feature of the recent storm has been light winds, which have limited widespread slab formation and left 40 cm of light, dry snow on the surface. SW winds picked up today, and temperatures warmed so slab formation can be expected at alpine elevations. All of this bonds poorly to the Dec 18 layer of surface hoar and crust down 50-60 cm.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche control in Kootenay and Yoho Park produced between 10-15 avalanches between size 2 and 3. Mostly size 2's with a couple of larger ones. Human triggering is very likely at this time.
Confidence
Problems
Persistent Slabs
The Dec 18 layer of surface hoar and crust is now buried 50-70 cm and primed for human triggering. Avoid any areas where avalanches can start at treeline and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
Storm slab formation has been limited due to light winds but gullies and large open slopes at treeline and above are best avoided for a few more days..
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 8th, 2015 4:00PM
