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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 15th, 2013–Feb 16th, 2013
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

Skiers 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.

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

Avalanche 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: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

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: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2