Avalanche forecast

South Columbia

Feb 2 – 3, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Recently formed wind slabs have been slow to settle and gain strength. Use extra caution around ridge crests.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    A recent avalanche involvement in the Selkirks shows that recently formed wind slabs should remain on our radar. Watch for triggering behind ridge crests and in gullies.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    3–5
    Persistent slabs have become more difficult to trigger; however, avalanches failing on buried surface hoar would be large and destructive. Use increased caution in steep, open terrain at treeline and below.

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

On Wednesday evening, the first of 2 organized fronts will move through the region bringing 5-10cm of new snow and strong southwest winds. Thursday will see mainly overcast skies and continued strong ridgetop winds. By Friday evening, the second front will pass through the region. Expect another 5-10cm of snow and strong southwest winds. Freezing levels should remain at valley bottom for Wednesday and Thursday, and then rise to about 1500m for Friday.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, a skier triggered a size 2 wind slab avalanche on a southwest aspect at about 2250m in the Revelstoke backcountry. The individual was taken for a ride, but was uninjured. Although existing wind slabs should gain strength over time, new snow and wind on Wednesday night should spark a new round of wind slab activity on Thursday . There is also the ongoing possibility of triggering more destructive persistent slab avalanches in isolated terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Snowfall and strong winds prior to last weekend created wind slabs that remain sensitive to light inputs in higher elevation lee terrain. The recently destructive surface hoar layer from early January is now typically down 80-120cm in most places. Although the layer has become  harder to human trigger and is variably reactive in snowpack tests, it still has the potential for wide propagations. With that, I would continue to show respect for this layer in steep, open terrain at treeline and below. In general, the lower snowpack below this layer is well settled and strong.

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