Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 1st, 2017 7:57AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ian gale,
Parks Canada
Fresh windslab and cornices are fragile and still need time to gain strength.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Today will be sunny with cloudy periods with no new snow. Winds will be light from the East and the daytime high is forecast to get up to -15*C. Expect much colder temps in the shade(north facing terrain or valley bottoms) or anywhere the wind is blowing. Our local weather pattern will change in the next few days with milder temps and some snowfall
Snowpack Summary
Previous strong Southerly winds have caused extensive wind effect in the alpine. Conditions are highly variable from wind scoured, wind slabs, hard slabs and deep wind drifts. Surface hoar to size 3 was found in profiles yesterday underneath the wind effected snow. At treeline and in very sheltered alpine locations the snow surface is undisturbed.
Avalanche Summary
There was a natural avalanche cycle within the last 72 hrs associated with the strong winds and 10cm of new snow. Numerous avalanches from size 2 -3 were observed to run into their runouts. In the backcountry there was reports of both natural and human triggered windslabs. A cornice triggered avalanche was also observed yesterday below Avalanche pk
Confidence
Wind effect is extremely variable
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent windloading has created windslab on all aspects in the alpine. On south and west aspects the windslab will become easier to trigger with solar warming. Evidence of this windslab is widespread, obvious & it will take more time to become stable
Avoid unsupported slopes.Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 2nd, 2017 8:00AM
