Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 2nd, 2017 7:50AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ian gale,
Parks Canada
The windslab is highly variable, pay attention to changes in the slab & terrain. Reassess often.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Today will be sunny with cloudy periods with no new snow. Winds will be SE at 10kph with a daytime high of -13*C. Expect much colder temps in the shade(north facing terrain & valley bottoms) or anywhere the wind is blowing. Friday a low pressure system will start to move over the province bringing warmer temps & up to 60cm of snow by Monday morning
Snowpack Summary
Previous strong Southerly winds have caused extensive wind effect in the alpine. Conditions are highly variable from wind scoured, wind slabs, hard slabs and deep wind drifts. Surface hoar to size 3 was found in profiles Tuesday underneath the wind effected snow. At treeline and in very sheltered alpine locations the snow surface is undisturbed.
Avalanche Summary
There was a natural avalanche cycle earlier in the week associated with the strong winds and 10cm of new snow. Numerous avalanches from size 2 -3 were observed to run into their runouts. In the backcountry there was reports of both natural and human triggered windslabs. A cornice triggered avalanche was also observed Tuesday below Avalanche pk
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent windloading has created windslab and fragile cornices in the alpine. The wind slab will be most reactive on convex or unsupported rolls. On south and west aspects the windslab will become easier to trigger with solar warming.
Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Minimize exposure to overhead hazard from cornices.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2017 8:00AM
