Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 24th, 2020 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
mike smallwood,
Parks Canada
Natural activity is increasing, watch for overhead hazard and expect to trigger the new storm snow
Summary
Weather Forecast
Warm temperatures and snow all day today, up to 20cm. Freezing level near 1700m. An above freezing layer is still possible today with associated rain above valley bottom but below mountain top. Light to moderate precipitation over the interior ranges on Saturday. Freezing levels will stay high between 1000 and 1500m. Flurries continue on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
15cm new snow in 24hrs has not yet bonded to the wind affected and facetted old surface below. 60cm of settled, progressively stiffer snow below that sits over a dense midpack. The Dec 27th surface hoar/crust is down 100cm, the Dec 11th surface hoar can still be found down 150cm.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous avalanches were observed in the highway corridor yesterday up to size 3.5. Frequent flyer went naturally yesterday size 2 across the Connaught Creek uptrack and several naturals were observed in the North paths off Cheops. Skier accidentals this week on MacDonald West Shoulder # 4 (see photo here), Video Peak and Grizzly Colouir (see MIN).
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
More new snow and warm temperatures will promote slab development and increase the likelihood of triggering today. Storm slabs are most reactive on steep, unsupported and cross-loaded terrain features.
- Avoid convexities and unsupported features.
- Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 25th, 2020 8:00AM
