Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 15th, 2013 8:05AM
The alpine rating is Storm Slabs and Wind Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSkiers have been triggering soft slabs in wind affected areas in the alpine and treeline over the last few days. Use caution when approaching wind affected terrain.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Warm temps at treeline (-2.0) today will cool this evening as a system bringing 10-20cm of snow and cooler temperatures for Saturday (-8.0 at treeline). On Sunday the weather is supposed to be drier and cool as another ridge builds with treeline temps around -10.
Snowpack Summary
Storm snow from earlier this week has been transported by strong winds to create a soft slab in the alpine and treeline. This slab, which is 20-40 cm thick, overlies a layer of surface hoar, formed on Feb. 12. It is best preserved and most reactive, between 17-1900 m. It is very touchy on solar aspects where the surface hoar sits on a sun crust
Avalanche Summary
Backcountry skiers reported "touchy" conditions up Connaught Creek and Perly Rock on North aspects where slabs were skier triggered up to size 1.5. This layer is proving to be easily triggered by skiers.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm snow is easily triggered by skiers. It is still a soft slab in most places, but has the potential to propagate widely on a touchy layer of surface hoar. Below treeline, open glades may be very reactive.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Test slopes before committing to them.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
The presence of wind slabs in the alpine is likely based on the high to extreme winds that affected the area in the past few days. Expect to find them in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine.
The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 16th, 2013 8:00AM