Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 1st, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Tereza Turecka,
Highway 93 will be closed for travel and recreation as of 10:00 AM Saturday. Expected opening on Monday.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Tonight: Snow accumulation: 12 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -6 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 60 km/h.Saturday: Snow, heavy at times accumulation: 27 cm. Alpine temperature: High -6 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 25 km/h gusting to 65 km/h.Sunday: Flurries. Accumulation: 12 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -6 °C. Wind SW moderate.
Snowpack Summary
Light precipitation and strong SW winds through the day. 15-25cm of soft snow over a firm mid-pack with facets and depth hoar lingering near the ground. Mid-December persistent layers, including SH, and SH/FC combos can be found down 25-40cm but, only in isolated and sheltered locations, and almost exclusively in the Icefields region.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed. Forecasting field team reporting reactive new wind slab in the Icefields region. Make your field trip observations count! Share them with the local outdoor adventure community on the Mountain Information Network from Avalanche Canada.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent strong southwesterly winds are creating new wind slabs reactive to human triggering.
- Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created reactive slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
In the alpine hard slabs sit overtop of facets. Dec 14th surface hoar to 6mm can be found in sheltered locations up to 2200m.
- Be aware of the potential for avalanches due to buried surface hoar in isolated areas.
- Whumphing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 2nd, 2021 4:00PM
