Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 28th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
kdevine,
Avalanche Canada
Storm slabs may be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas at upper elevations. Watch for signs of instability such as whumphing, cracking and recent avalanches.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with clear periods / southwest wind, 30-50 km/h / alpine low temperature near -8
WEDNESDAY - Flurries, 10-20 cm / southwest wind, 60-80 km/h / alpine high temperature near -6 / freezing level 1200 m
THURSDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm / southwest wind, 40-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near -5 / freezing level 1500 m
FRIDAY - Flurries, 10-15 cm / southwest wind, 10-25 km/h / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1700 m
Avalanche Summary
With new snow and strong winds on Wednesday, storm slab avalanches are likely, and will probably become increasingly reactive throughout the day.
On Saturday there was one notable report of a size 3 persistent slab avalanche southwest of Valemount that was remotely triggered (triggered from a distance) by a group of people.
Over the past five days there have been reports of numerous size 1-2.5 storm slab avalanches on all aspects at all elevations. These were mostly natural avalanches, with a few explosives triggered avalanches as well.
Snowpack Summary
Wednesday is set to bring 10-20 cm of snow with strong to extreme southwest winds. Fresh storm slabs will be forming throughout the day.
Recent rain at lower elevations means that the new snow may fall on either a melt-freeze crust, or wet snow below about 1500 m.
There is a weak layer of surface hoar now buried 70 to 130 cm. This layer has produced very few recent avalanches in the region, though it could still be triggered in isolated areas.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs will likely be building throughout the day and may become increasingly reactive with ongoing strong winds and fresh snow accumulating.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 29th, 2020 5:00PM
