Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 6th, 2017 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
andrew jones,
Parks Canada
Touchy wind slabs above treeline are the main avalanche problem today. A small avalanche in exposed terrain could have serious consequences.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud is forecast for today as an unsettled weather pattern disrupts the ridge of high pressure. Freezing levels remain at valley bottom with a slightly warmer alpine high of -14. Ridge winds south 10-20 km/h. A SW flow arrives on Monday with up to 15cm of new snow before a return to cold high pressure.
Snowpack Summary
Earlier this week, strong N'ly winds hammered exposed slopes at treeline and above. Widespread wind slabs exist in most of the alpine. At treeline and below, the Dec 26 surface hoar layer is down 20-50cm and field teams have reported that it is becoming reactive. The Dec 18 facet layer is down 80cm and the Nov 13 crust is down 1.5 - 2 metres.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, skiers accidentally triggered a size 1.5 windslab on a SW aspect at 2350m (see their MIN for details). In the region there were several similar reports of triggerable wind slabs up to 50cm deep. There have been no natural avalanches observed in the park for a few days. In addition there have been reports of cornices failing.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Widespread, touchy wind slabs exist in exposed areas. These wind slabs exist in unusual areas due to reverse loading by strong N winds. Be especially cautious where the consequences of even a small avalanche would be serious, such as over cliffs.
Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 7th, 2017 8:00AM
