Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 3rd, 2016 8:00AM

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

andrew jones, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Regular caution is recommended when venturing into steep avalanche terrain, especially in wind loaded areas. As always, plan to be back at the car well before sunset.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The temperature inversion continues to weaken as cold temperatures return to all elevations. Light southerly winds with clear skies and freezing levels remaining below 1200m today. An upper low pressure system with bring light precipitation and moderate SW winds with 10mm of precipitation between early Monday morning and late Tuesday evening.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps above 1800m and strong solar input created moist surface snow in isolated terrain. A thin crust has developed on steep solar aspects. On shaded slopes and low elevations 30cm of low density faceted snow sits on a well settled pack. Hard wind slabs exist in immediate lee features in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

Continued signs of sluffing from steep solar terrain.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

With a return to cooler temperatures, the likelihood of this problem is decreasing. With strong solar input, loose avalanches are still a problem especially around rocky outcrops.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 4th, 2016 8:00AM