Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 22nd, 2019 4:25PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
swerner,
Avalanche Canada
The recent snow continues to be reactive at all elevations. Pay attention to steeper slopes, glades and gullies at treeline and below. These locations are susceptible to human triggering and may catch you by surprise. Keep a conservative mindset.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
Tuesday Night: Cloudy with new snow 5-10 cm. Ridgetop winds light from the West and alpine temperatures near -7. Freezing levels at valley bottom.Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries. Ridgetop winds moderate from the northwest and alpine temperatures near -6. Freezing levels 1300 m. Thursday: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Ridgetop winds moderate from the West and freezing levels near 700 m. Friday: Mainly cloudy. Ridgetop winds light from the southwest and alpine temperatures near -6. Freezing levels rise to 1100 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, numerous natural and skier-triggered storm slab avalanches size 1 to 2 were reported. In the alpine wind slabs on N-NE aspects also remain reactive up to size 2. Most of these avalanches were running on the newly buried weak layer, especially between 1500 to 1800 m where surface hoar was most prevalent. Natural and human triggered avalanches will likely continue as the weak layer remains reactive.
Snowpack Summary
Another 5-10 cm of new snow brings a total of 20-35 cm above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crust. This slab may show enhanced reactivity between 1500 m-1800 m where the surface hoar is well preserved and on solar aspects at most elevations where there is a buried sun crust. Isolated pockets of reactive wind slab exist on leeward slopes in the alpine. The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Are reactive to human triggers on leeward (N-NE) alpine slopes which are wind loaded and especially touchy on all aspects at mid-lower elevations (1500m-1800m) where the new snow sits above a well-preserved surface hoar layer.
Be cautious around open terrain features, such as cutblocks, gullies, and cutbanks.Expect to find deeper, reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking and recent avalanches..
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2019 2:00PM
