Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 26th, 2017 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.
Lisa Paulson,
Parks Canada
The hazard has improved, but it will still wise to stick to conservative choices for sometime given the weak snowpack structure.
Summary
Weather Forecast
There is no new snow in the near-term weather forecast, as a ridge of high pressure remains stationary over the central rockies. Some cloud cover may appear, but no precipitation is expected and temperatures on Friday will range from -5 to -10 and light to moderate W winds.
Snowpack Summary
In many areas, the surface snow remain unaffected by wind and overlies a generally weak and facetted mid-pack and base - particularly in the Lake Louise area and on the east side of Hwy 93 north. Closer to the divide, the deeper snowpacks are stronger and more supportive. Surface hoar up to 10mm continues to grow on the snow surface.
Avalanche Summary
Out of 24 shots in the Kootenay highway paths only 1 size 3 was triggered from the top of Mt. Whymper sliding on a layer near ground. Only 1 natural was observed on a North aspect where a cornice failure triggered a size 2 slab in the past 2 days. Despite the encouraging results, little confidence in the overall weak snowpack structure remains.
Confidence
Due to the quality of field observations
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
Because the snowpack is so weak, we don't trust any avalanche starting zones. Avoid steep areas where avalanches can start, and think carefully if you cross tracks or run out zones. Continued conservative choices will remain important for some time.
Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 27th, 2017 4:00PM
