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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 6th, 2017–Feb 7th, 2017
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high

Regions: Little Yoho.

Lots of uncertainty in the snowpack right now as this recent storm has left less snow then our neighbors to the east, but we are right on the edge. Slight changes will trigger an avalanche cycle. Ice climbers best avoid gullies right now.

Weather Forecast

This storm is ending on Monday night. Tuesday will remain cold with mostly light NE winds except at higher elevations where the winds will be stronger (brrr). Temperatures will remain in the -20 range for Tuesday. The upper level flow shifts back to SW later this week, and Thursday we will see the start of warming, winds and more precipitation

Snowpack Summary

The past 3-day storm has deposited 10 cm in Field and 25 cm at higher elevations. Strong winds from the Yoho Blow have been ripping through the Kicking Horse Pass, but outside this area the winds have generally been light except at the higher elevations. Overall a weak snowpack exists, and with several weak layer buried deep in the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed today, but our observations were limited.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

The generally weak, facetted mid pack is producing moderate to hard shears. In the upper snowpack around treeline a buried layer of surface hoar produces variable shears. Current slab development will make triggering these layers more likely.

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
  • Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

We suspect this problem exists at the higher elevations, but do not yet have a real observation of it.  With the current fresh snow available for transport, only a very small increase in winds speed will create wind slabs.

  • Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by an upslope storm.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2