Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 18th, 2014 8:02AM

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

catherine brown, Parks Canada

Glacier.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/scond/Cond_E.asp?oID=15693&oPark=100205If the sun stays out this afternoon, avoid terrain facing the sun, especially if the surface gets moist. Avalanches could be triggered around hot spots like rocks and trees.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A high pressure ridge will remain in place through the forecast period, with unseasonably warm temperature at high elevations forecast. Today, expect alpine temperatures around +2 deg and light ridge top winds. Freezing levels will drop to valley bottom tonight, and rise tomorrow to 1300 m. No precipitation is forecast for the next 3 days.

Snowpack Summary

Over 1m of new snow from the last week is settling. It sits on a surface hoar/graupel layer. Strong SW winds have formed slabs in exposed terrain at all elevations. Expect to find a solar crust on steep SW/W aspects and a supportive rain crust below 1300m. The mid pack is well settled with the Nov28 surface hoar layer down around 2m where present.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed yesterday along the highway corridor. Click on https://www.facebook.com/ParksMountainSafety to see images of the latest avalanche cycle this past Monday.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong winds formed wind slabs is exposed terrain at all aspects. These wind slabs sit on a low density layer. This layer could possibly be human triggered. Be cautious in areas where even a small avalanche can have large consequences.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A weak layer buried down over 2 m will take a large trigger to fail. Limit your exposure to cornices. A cornice fall to could be just the right trigger to fail this weak layer.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 4

Valid until: Jan 19th, 2014 8:00AM