Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 23rd, 2014 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Deep Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include The hazard is Moderate, but forecasters still have lowered confidence in the overall strength of the snowpack, especially in thin areas. SH
Summary
Weather Forecast
Expect an above freezing layer to develop Friday at upper elevations. Alpine temperatures may be close to zero until Sat. night with light Northerly winds. No precipitation is forecast for the next 2 days.
Snowpack Summary
The midpack is slowly strengthening. Sudden collapse compression results still found, failing at the base in old DH and on top of the crust in the hard range. Some moist snow in the afternoons on steep, solar aspects forming thin sun crusts overnight. Wapta Icefields snow cover reported as highly variable, ranging from 20cm-2m over the ice.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Friday
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
Thin areas will have the biggest potential for triggering the basal depth hoar/crust layer. Caution is advised in steep, planar features. Avalanches will be full depth with large consequences.
Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Warmer temperatures forecast at higher elevations could cause some loose, wet avalanches in very steep, rocky terrain. Climbers should be cognisant of this.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 24th, 2014 4:00PM