Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 27th, 2016 8:01AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.

chris gooliaff, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Lots of skiers/boarders are hitting Rogers Pass these holidays. Watch for other groups, both above and below you, as skier-triggered avalanches could affect you.

Summary

Weather Forecast

10cm of snow today/tonight with light to moderate westerly winds and an alpine high of -10*C. Flurries on Wednesday, moderate SW winds, and freezing levels remaining in the valley bottom. Thursday should bring a juicier pulse of snow, with 15cm, moderate to strong SW winds, and freezing levels up to 800m.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow from last week and incremental loading this week overlie a weak, facetted Dec 18th layer. This interface shows moderate to hard results in compression tests, but natural and skier triggered slabs on this layer have been observed the last couple of days. As this load settles into a stiffer slab, there may be more avalanche activity.

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 skier-triggered avalanche from steep, shallow, unsupported terrain yesterday resulted in a rescue from NRC Gully. A size 2 skier-triggered slab on the approach slope to Video Peak was reported from Sunday.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The snow from the past week has been slow to form a slab in part due to continued cool temperatures and little wind. Slab properties are now starting to form and this is a concern, given the poor bond to the Dec 18th facet layer down 50-60cm.

Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes. Avoid unsupported slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Loose Dry

Plenty of unconsolidated powder lies on the snow surface. On steeper terrain, it has been observed to be moving fast and could push a person over a cliff.

Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 28th, 2016 8:00AM