Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 5th, 2020 4:14PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
Benjamin Firth,
Parks Canada
Careful terrain considerations will be key to avoiding involving yourself in an avalanche. Avoid wind loaded features underfoot, or those that are overhead.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Cold front will pass through region Sunday night bringing clearer skies and minimal precipitation for Monday. Tuesday we could see up to 10cm of new snow with cool temps persisting and moderate west winds at ridgetop.
Visit CAA's Mountain Weather Forecast for more specific details.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 35cm of settling new snow below treeline overlies buried surface hoar up to 2200m in sheltered areas. Moderate SW winds continue to create and build on existing wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. The bottom of the snowpack consists of well developed facets, depth hoar, and decomposing crusts.
Avalanche Summary
Highway 93 was closed today for avalanche control. Some natural activity was noted up to size 3 out of steep alpine features, however limited observations today given the weather. Explosive triggered avalanches up size 2.5 failing at ground.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Widespread wind effect at treeline and above. Consider avoiding terrain which is thin to thick and/or significant overhead wind loaded features.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
This weakness could be triggered by large loads or from thin spots in the snowpack. All explosive triggered avalanches today at treeline and below failed on or close to the ground.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Caution in steep gullies and terrain traps where a small sluff could have large consequences. Avoid terrain where this problem can initiate slab avalanches on deeper layers.
- Watch for terrain traps where small amounts of snow will acumulate into deep deposits.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 6th, 2020 4:00PM
