Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 15th, 2014 8:22AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada swerner, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

A series of frontal systems will send waves of moderate- heavy precipitation amounts accompanied by strong-extreme winds through the forecast period. The model runs seem to be in good agreement with timing and precipitation amounts.Saturday night: Snow amounts 20-25 cm. Ridgetop winds blowing strong from the SW gusting to extreme values. Sunday: Snow amounts 15-20 cm. Alpine temperatures near -7.0. Strong SW ridgetop winds and freezing levels near the valley bottom.Monday: Snow amounts 10-15 cm. Alpine temperatures near -6.0. Ridgetop winds moderate from the South gusting strong. Tuesday: Snow amounts 15 cm accompanied by light southerly winds with strong gusts.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous size 2 slab avalanches have been easily triggered by light loads (weight of a person) and by explosives. With more snow and strong-extreme winds forecast, the size and destructive potential of the new building storm slab will increase and avalanche danger will be high.

Snowpack Summary

Between 80 and 140 cm of recent snowfall overlies a variety of old snow surfaces which were buried on February 10th. These old surfaces consist of weak surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at treeline and below treeline elevations), a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these.Professionals are expressing particular concern for the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at treeline and below. Snowpack testing at these elevations are showing easy sudden planar results on the facet/crust combo buried down 45 cm. Reports of whumphing and widespread avalanche activity further indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces.Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain.The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
80-140 cm of new snow has formed a very touchy storm slab, which has shown reactivity at all elevation bands. A poor bond exists on a variety of old weak surfaces, creating the perfect recipe for dangerous avalanche conditions.
Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.>Stick to simple terrain and be aware of what is above you at all times.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Feb 16th, 2014 2:00PM