Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Jan 30 – 31, 2014Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Variable and gusty north winds are expected to reverse load alpine lee features and form isolated pockets of soft, thin, reactive windslab .

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–4
    An increasingly well settled snowpack means triggering an avalanche on a deep weak layer has become less likely. However, large and destructive avalanche may be possible in steep, rocky start zones with thin or variable snow cover.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: An approaching arctic airmass will bring dry cold conditions throughout the forecast periodFriday: Sunny with cloudy periods / Winds: light to moderate from the northwest / Freezing level: valley bottom.Saturday: Sunny with cloudy periods / Winds: light from the northwest / Freezing level: Valley bottom.Sunday: Sunny with cloudy periods / Winds: light from the northwest / Freezing level: Valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Between 10 and 25cm of new snow overlies a variety of surfaces including: old wind slabs in exposed terrain, well developed surface hoar in sheltered areas, or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes.The main concern in the region continues to be the weak buried faceted snow which exists in the mid or lower snowpack (depending where you are in the region). Although avalanche activity on this interface has tapered-off lately there is still the potential for large avalanche that could have nasty consequences. Possible triggers for this layer include cornice fall, or a heavy load over a thin spot.

Regions covered