Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 31st, 2017 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
dean flick,
Parks Canada
Fragile new cornices hanging over wind slabs can surprise you; try to minimize exposure to this hazard. Don't underestimate the effects of the sun on the snowpack, even with the current cold temperatures.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Looks like it will be a beautiful day, although a cold Arctic air mass has moved in with alpine highs of -16C. Winds are forecast to be north 10km/h and no snow. Even with these cold temperatures, the sun will make it seam much warmer than it is and can affect the surface snow on steep solar aspects.
Snowpack Summary
Sustained strong winds have caused extensive wind effect in the alpine and exposed tree line areas. Conditions will be highly variable from wind scoured ridges, wind slabs, hard slabs and deep wind drifts. Any freshly wind loaded slopes are suspect for human triggering of slabs.
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle occurred in the highway corridor yesterday, initiated by strong south winds. Eight were size 2.5 wind slabs, one was a size 3.0 triggered by a cornice fall.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Newly formed wind slabs from the recent strong wind event have had minimal time to start bonding. Below ridge crests, cross-loaded features and any wind loaded area are suspect for human triggering.
Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Avoid unsupported slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 1st, 2017 8:00AM
