Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 5th, 2012–Feb 6th, 2012

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Northwest Inland.

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.

Avalanche 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