Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 6th, 2019 8:00AM

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

mark herbison, Parks Canada

Glacier.

The Avalanche Hazard is Moderate, human triggered avalanches are possible! Variable distribution of wind slab in the alpine and buried surface hoar layers at tree line and below demand your attention. Choose low consequence terrain features.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The best part of the 'Polar Vortex' is the clear, sunny skies that comes with it! Today will be clear and cold with an alpine high of -17 (feels warmer in the sun in the alpine) with light ridge top winds. A small pulse of snow on Thursday and Friday with clear skies returning for the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Cold temps promoting surface faceting. ~70cm of storm snow overlies the Jan 17th SH and ~60cm over the Jan 31st layer. Strong winds that came in with the storm redistributed the storm snow in the alpine and exposed areas of TL. Wind slabs and buried crusts exist on specific terrain features depending on aspect and elevation.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations along the highway corridor yesterday. Report of a skier controlled size 1.5 in the Puff Daddy area two days ago, failing on the Jan 31 SH, ~50cm deep in an open area below tree line. There was a large natural cycle over the weekend with many slides running full path.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Jan 17 and Jan 31 Surface Hoar layers are down ~70 and ~60cm respectively. This layer exists on all aspects, and is most problematic between 1400-1900m and on steep solar aspects where it overlies a crust.

Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls at treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Wind Slabs

70cm of storm snow, plus strong variable winds created wind slabs over the weekend. Skiers are find this problem most reactive along ridge crest and cross loaded terrain features.

Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Feb 7th, 2019 8:00AM