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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 10th, 2020–Feb 11th, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Columbia.

New snow accumulation overnight Monday and through Tuesday combined with moderate to strong winds will continue to promote wind slab development at upper elevations. As a result, wind slabs continue to be the main concern.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack. Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

Monday Night: Scattered flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm. Moderate west wind. Alpine high temperatures around -10.

Tuesday: Scattered flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm. Moderate to strong west wind. Alpine high temperatures around -6. Freezing level 1000 m

Wednesday: Mix of sun, cloud and isolated flurries. Light west wind. Alpine high temperatures around -5. Freezing level 1100 m

Thursday: Flurries. Light to moderate southwest wind. Alpine high temperatures around -8.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Saturday and Sunday show numerous loose dry avalanche size 1-1.5 running in steep terrain in the alpine and at tree line. There were also a few skier and rider along with naturally triggered storm and wind slab avalanches size 1-1.5 on a variety of aspects in the alpine and at treeline.

Snowpack Summary

30-60 cm of snow from the last week now overlies older wind-affected snow at high elevations, with about half this amount instead overlying a widespread melt-freeze or rain crust to a variable upper extent of 1700-2400 metres in elevation. Moderate to strong winds have redistributed this new snow onto a variety of aspects.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong. Although isolated, there are two deeper weak layers that may persist in some areas. A weak layer of surface hoar buried 90 to 170 cm deep may be found across the north of the region while a facet/crust layer from November may be found near the ground in shallower snowpack areas.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.