Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 18th, 2019 8:00AM

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

Parks Canada Andrew Jones, Parks Canada

The snowpack is getting a nice refresh today, but the new snow will not bond well to the surface hoar and crusts that are being buried.  Watch for signs of increasing avalanche hazard (like sluffs) as the new snow continues to accumulate.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A weak system will bring light precipitation with up to 5cm of accumulation today. Freezing levels rise to 1500m with an alpine temperature of -5.0 and southwest winds 20-40 km/h. A second stronger system arrives later tonight bringing another 15cm of snow by Saturday afternoon and strong southwest winds. High pressure builds up again for Sunday. 

Snowpack Summary

10cm of new snow fell overnight with light southerly winds. The new snow conceals hard wind slabs in exposed alpine areas, a crust on steep solar aspects, and large surface hoar in sheltered areas. The Nov 21 persistent weak layer is down ~180cm.

Avalanche Summary

A natural size 2.0 avalanche was observed from steep north facing terrain adjacent to the the highway east of Rogers Pass.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are now concealed by 10cm of new snow, but are present on lee features and exposed areas in the alpine. These slabs tend to make for challenging skiing conditions. It is possible to trigger these slabs in steep, unsupported terrain.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 19th, 2019 8:00AM