Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 4th, 2013 9:26AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
pgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
It's worth noting that the weather forecast has changed and a storm is now expected this weekend.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Saturday: Moderate S winds. Alpine temperature around -4. 15-20 cm snow.Sunday: Moderate SW winds, easing towards the end of the day. Alpine temperature -4. 10-20 cm snow.Monday: Light winds. Alpine temperature -8. Light snow, petering out.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been reported. Cornice chunks falling onto slopes have not triggered slabs.
Snowpack Summary
Incoming snow may not bond well to existing snow surfaces including surface hoar (up to 20 mm in size), facets, hard wind slabs or a sun crust. Storm slab problems may develop quickly once it begins snowing. Recent SE winds have formed new wind slabs at alpine and treeline elevations, while older wind slabs appear generally well settled. No significant shears have been observed recently in the top or mid snowpack layers. Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer exists which is now unlikely to be triggered. However, professionals are still mindful of thin snowpack trigger areas or large loads (like a large cornice) which could wake it up again, leading to a very large avalanche.
Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow may not bond well to the old snow surface. Winds are also likely to transport snow onto downwind slopes, leaving wind slabs behind.
Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 5th, 2013 2:00PM
