Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 2nd, 2016 8:00AM

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

andrew jones, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Interesting weather makes for interesting problems. Pay attention to steep solar aspects, overhead cornices and glide crack slopes as large temperature fluctuations and a strong inversion persist.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A strong temperature inversion persists with temperatures ranging from -20 at 1300m to 3.0 at 2200m this morning. Valley cloud will clear later this morning with no precipitation for today. Ridge top winds will be light SE with gusts to moderate. The temperature inversion is expected to break down Sunday night as a cool upper trough moves in.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps above 1900m 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

Yesterday there was evidence of loose, solar triggered avalanches. They were up to size 2 and were occurring from steep, rocky terrain exposed to the sun. This week we have also had two skier triggered avalanches from high alpine terrain features, both were sz 1.5 wind slabs. There have also been glide crack releases observed below treeline.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

Warm temperatures above 1900m and strong solar input have created touchy conditions in isolated terrain. Expect solar triggered avalanches from steep solar aspects, especially around rocks and cliffs. Expect sluffing from steep slopes as you descend.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Thin windslabs exist in the immediate lee of some alpine features. Keep them in mind if you venture into more aggressive terrain where getting pushed around by a small slide could have serious consequences.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2016 8:00AM