Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 21st, 2020 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
chris gooliaff,
Parks Canada
Stiffer snow under your skis is an indicator of a slab. Be very cautious of this scenario if you have a cliff or terrain trap below you; this isolated slab "cookie" may pop out, causing you to unexpectedly surf down an unplanned line.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries (5cm) today, accompanied by mainly light SW'ly winds, gusting up to 35km/hr. Freezing levels rising up to 1700m by midday, then dropping to valley bottom tonight. Treeline temps will reach a high of -3.
Continued cloudy conditions tmrw with isolated flurries, moderate SW winds, and freezing levels around 1200m.
Snowpack Summary
10-20cm of settling storm snow lies on previous wind effect and small facets from last weeks cold. Variable soft slab can be found in the alpine at ridge-tops and immediate lee areas. The mid-lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong. The Dec 27th surface hoar/crust down 100cm has not been reactive since the last major snowfall.
Avalanche Summary
A spike in winds yesterday caused several sz 2.5-3 natural avalanches from steep, alpine features on Macdonald in Gullies # 7, 9, and 10. Sluffing from extreme terrain was observed off Little Sifton at midday during this wind spike.
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
Recent new snow overlies facetted and/or firm surfaces. Where the wind has stiffened the new snow into a slab, small pockets have the potential to pop out (ridge-tops, immediate lee features, cross-loaded alpine gullies, etc).
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2020 8:00AM
