Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 22nd, 2016 8:04AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
percy woods,
Parks Canada
A warm storm has arrived and the natural avalanche cycle is underway.
Summary
Weather Forecast
The warm and windy storm has arrived,15cm of storm snow overnight with another 20cm possible today. Freezing levels are expected to rise to 1700m accompanied by moderate to strong SW winds. By Saturday lowering freezing levels light flurries and moderate ridge top winds are expected.
Snowpack Summary
A soft slab sits on top of the Jan 4th interface. The Jan 4th layer consists of surface hoar over facets on northerly aspects and surface hoar over sun crust on steeper S through SW aspects. It appears to be touchiest where the slab resides over surface hoar/sun crust combo in our area. Warming temperatures will settle and stiffen the slab.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity increased yesterday afternoon with five avalanches off of Mt MacDonald in the size 2.5 to size 3 range with the size 3 running to the bottom of the runout.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Problems
Persistent Slabs
The storm is upon us with 15cm snow overnight and another 20cm expected today. Overloading and failure of the soft slab over the Jan 4th weak layer is expected today resulting in an avalanche cycle.
The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2016 8:00AM
