Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 4th, 2017–Jan 5th, 2017

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

The cold temps seem to have deeper instabilities on lock-down but as temps warm up the snowpack may become more reactive. Be increasingly cautious on solar aspects, which are windloaded and the sun might have more of an effect than you'd expect.

Weather Forecast

Today will be sunny and slightly inverted, with an alpine high of -12'C but chilly temps in the valley bottom. Light to moderate N'ly winds are expected along ridges. We should see increasing cloud later today, and Thurs we expect flurries with an alpine high of -13'C and winds shifting to the SW. Fri will be similar with flurries and sunny breaks.

Snowpack Summary

Earlier this week, strong N'ly winds hammered exposed slopes at treeline and above. Widespread windslabs exist in most of the alpine. At treeline and below the Dec 26 surface hoar layer is down 20-50cm and field teams have reported that it is becoming reactive. The Dec 18 facet layer is down 80cm and the Nov 13 crust is down 1.5 - 2 metres.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday there were no natural avalanches observed in the park. In the region there were a few wind-slab avalanches observed. Skiers accidentally triggered a sz 1 windslab on a N aspect at 2100m outside the park boundary. In addition there were several reports of cornices failing, and a few natural avalanches to size 2 were triggered by solar.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Widespread windslabs exist in exposed areas. These windslabs exist in unusual areas due to reverse loading by strong N'ly winds. Be especially cautious in areas where the consequences of even a small avalanche would be serious, such as over cliffs.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3