Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 5th, 2012 9:20AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Cornices and Loose Wet.

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday-Wednesday: Dry weather. Freezing level dropping to valley floor at nights and rising to around 1000m during the day. Light winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Temperatures have been unseasonably warm, leading to moist or wet weak surface snow conditions. Where a re-freeze has occurred, a breakable crust now exists. Recent storm snow appears to bonding. Weaknesses which formed in early and mid-January remain a lingering concern for possible deep avalanches. The likelihood of deep releases has gone down, but they remain possible with the right trigger, like cornice fall, an airborne sled or a step-down avalanche which starts in a shallower layer.

Problems

Cornices

Cornices will be weakest when it's hot and sunny. A cornice fall could trigger an avalanche on the slope below, potentially releasing a deeply buried weak layer.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 6

Loose Wet

Warmth and sunshine can trigger loose wet avalanches, particularly in steep, south-facing terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Feb 6th, 2012 3:00AM