Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 26th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
kdevine,
Avalanche Canada
New snow and wind in the forecast will mean that fresh wind slabs may build and become increasingly reactive throughout the day.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods / moderate to strong southeast wind / alpine low temperature near -10
WEDNESDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm, with another 5-10 cm possible overnight / strong southeast wind / alpine high temperature near -7
THURSDAY - Cloudy with flurries, 5-10 cm, with another 5 cm overnight / moderate southeast wind / alpine high temperature near -4
FRIDAY - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries / light to moderate southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -5
Avalanche Summary
Some fresh snow with moderate to strong southeast winds will likely form fresh wind slabs throughout the day on Wednesday. These could be reactive to human triggers in leeward terrain.
A size 1 human triggered wind slab avalanche was reported on a northwest aspect at 2100 m near Whitewater on Sunday.
Another size 1 human triggered wind slab avalanche was reported on a northeast aspect at 2000 m in the Five Mile Provincial Park area on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
5-10 cm of new snow is expected with moderate to strong southeast winds on Wednesday. Pockets of wind slab are expected to form throughout the day at upper elevations.
One or more crusts may exist in the upper snowpack depending on elevation and area within the region. The uppermost crust extends up to around 2000 m. In higher terrain, 15-20 cm of snow may sit over a crust and/or large surface hoar crystals.
Another layer of surface hoar found 20-50 cm below the surface in isolated areas in the north and east of the region appears to be gaining strength but could become more reactive with some new snow in the coming days.
A couple of crusts surrounded by weak faceted grains are buried deep within the snowpack. The upper layer is 80 to 130 cm deep and the lower is near the ground.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Fresh wind slabs may be forming at upper elevations with the arrival of some new snow and wind on Wednesday. These could become increasingly reactive throughout the day.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Continued caution is warranted around steep, shaded slopes around treeline where pockets of buried surface hoar may still be preserved.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 27th, 2021 4:00PM
