Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 22nd, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.

Avalanche Canada Lisa Paulson, Avalanche Canada

Rein it in this weekend...Thurs-Fri storm left touchy wind slabs on lee features.

AVALANCHE CONTROL planned for Mt. Bosworth, Stephen and Dennis on Saturday. Please no recreational activities

Summary

Weather Forecast

Over Friday night temperatures and winds will drop and snow/rain will taper off. Over the weekend, expect cloudy skies, light to moderate ridge wind, and alpine highs in the single digits. No significant flurries for the next several days.

Snowpack Summary

Ongoing storm Friday night is continuing to move the 20-30cm recent snow, forming wind slabs at treeline and above. The moist storm snow and wind slabs overlie weak facets. Below treeline snow was still unaffected by wind on Thursday-Friday, but this could change quickly with Friday nights weather. On Friday there was light rain to 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility today, but we expect a small cycle to be occurring.  Avalanche control on Mt. Bourgeau on Thursday produced numerous avalanches size 1- 2 , one of which started as a wind slab and entrained all of the facets in the track, hitting the road. This is consistent with other observations this week from thin snowpack areas.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Windslabs will continue to build Friday night. Natural avalanche activity will taper on Saturday but the windslabs will remain touchy to human triggering.

  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

With forecasted weather, natural loose snow avalanches may subside, but expect it still to be a problem in steep terrain for skiers/climbers. Touchy cornices developed through the storm are new trigger to consider when assessing overhead terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2016 4:00PM