Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 1st, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
snow safety,
Parks Canada
More snow and big wind on the way Friday and Saturday. Anticipate having to step back, depending on snow amounts.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Wind, warm temps and snow starting early Friday. By Saturday end of day there could be up to 25cm of storm snow, as indicated by the weather models. The accompanying wind will be from the SW and could reach extreme values.
Snowpack Summary
Thin/soft windslabs forming on the surface near ridge top from light NW wind and 5-10 cm overnight. In most areas the upper snowpack of denser snow sits over a weak mid and lower snowpack consisting of facets, depth hoar and crusts. In deeper snowpack areas these weaknesses are less pronounced. Snowpack depths at treeline average 100-160 cm.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanches observed or reported.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
5 to 10cm of new snow and light to moderate NW wind has created soft windslabs in lee areas in the alpine. While they are reactive to ski cutting, they are thin and do not run far. Underlying hard windslabs from a previous wind event also linger.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Continued reports of whumphing on the weak, faceted lower snowpack indicate the potential for human triggering. This likelihood will rise with new snow and wind over the next few days. Triggering the deep facets could result in a large avalanche.
- Be aware of the potential for wide propagations which could result in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 2nd, 2020 4:00PM
