Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 14th, 2016 7:22AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

Fresh wind slabs are primed for human triggers

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud, but dry, with freezing levels in valley bottoms and light southwesterly winds. Saturday: Mainly cloudy with light snow and moderate southwesterly winds in the afternoon. Freezing levels remaining in valley bottoms. Sunday: Mainly cloudy with light snow flurries, strong southwesterly winds and freezing levels in valley bottoms.

Avalanche Summary

West of the divide recent reports include a Size 1.5 skier triggered storm slab avalanche in the southern Elk Valley. But reports indicate no recent activity east of the divide.

Snowpack Summary

Another 5-10 cm of fresh snow adds to the previous storm snow that is bonding poorly to the old snow surface buried early January. However, east of the divide there has been much less recent snow and much more wind. Extensive scouring has been reported in some areas and and stiff wind slabs exist in lee features at treeline and in the alpine. In areas that have seen less extreme wind, recently formed wind slabs are likely softer, deeper, and may overlie surface hoar, facets, and/or a sun crust which formed at the start of January. The early December crust can be found down around 60-90cm. It is not currently expected to pose an avalanche problem but could wake-up in the future with substantial warming or heavy snow loading.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are particularly deep and touchy west of the divide where there has been more snow and the underlying weakness may involve buried surface hoar.
Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features. >Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 15th, 2016 2:00PM