Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 23rd, 2016 8:20AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Storm Slabs.

percy woods, Parks Canada

Glacier.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/scond/Cond_E.asp?oID=22583&oPark=100205Expect the surface slab buried surface hoar layer combo to be sensitive to human triggering today.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cooler temperatures, light flurries and light ridge top winds with sunny breaks are forecast for today. More flurries, temps in the -6C range and light west winds for Monday. Watch for solar impacts on surface instabilities on steeper S through SW aspects today.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures, upwards of 35cm storm snow and a persistent weak layer resulted in an avalanche cycle yesterday. Cooler temperatures and the end of precipitation should have slowed the natural cycle however human triggering is a real concern. Overnight 7hrs of moderate S winds will have formed soft slabs on alpine and treeline lee features.

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle occurred yesterday with slides up to size 3.5. Of note, Frequent Flyer produced a size 3.0 slide running down past the creek and up onto the bottom of Cheops. Most of the north Cheops paths also released. Avalanche control along the highway corridor produced numerous slab avals in the 2.5 to 3.5 size from all aspects.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Jan 4th interface and associated slab were very reactive yesterday. Expect less natural avalanche activity today but continued elevated sensitivity to human triggering on this layer.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.Avoid slopes with glide cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

7hrs of moderate S winds have created storm slabs on alpine and treeline lee features.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 24th, 2016 8:00AM