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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 21st, 2017–Feb 22nd, 2017
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
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

Regions: Glacier.

Higher elevation north facing terrain is the best bet for good turns and also the area to be aware of hidden wind slab at ridgeline.

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy with 60% chance of flurries.  Freezing level should edge up to 1300m with an alpine high temp of -7C.  Winds are forecast to remain light from the west.  Cooling temperatures, light winds and light precipitation are forecast for  Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

15-20cm of new snow over the last few days accompanied by generally light winds. The new snow has covered recently formed windslab at ridge-top elevations and a refrozen rain soaked surface below treeline. Layers of concern to look for are down 30-60cm and are crusts on S aspects and surface hoar on protected N facing terrain.

Avalanche Summary

Five avalanches to size 2 mainly from steep solar aspect on Mt Tupper were observed in the highway corridor yesterday. We were able to trigger a few surface slabs to size 1.0 skiing down from Avalanche Crest yesterday. The top 10-15cm were moist and would push off of convexities down the route.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Last week's strong S winds have left wind slabs at ridge top and on wind exposed terrain. The slabs appear to be bonding to the upper snowpack but may still be reactive on unsupported features. These slabs will be hidden by recent snowfall.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Weak layers in the top meter include sun crusts on S'ly aspects and pockets of surface hoar on N'ly aspects. Field tests show isolated sudden planar results, making the weak layers hard to predict. Be careful in thin snowpack locations.
Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3