Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 5th, 2019 4:15PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

kdevine, Avalanche Canada

Purcells.

The unusual danger rating is due to a buried weak layer that exists mainly at treeline and below. It is easily triggered by humans and there is the potential for large avalanches at lower elevations. Choose low angled terrain, especially in the trees

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT - Clear with cloudy periods / northeast winds 10-15 km/h / alpine low temperature near -20WEDNESDAY - Mainly sunny / northwest winds 10-15 km/h / alpine high temperature near -17THURSDAY - Cloudy sunny periods and isolated flurries, 2-4 cm / southwest winds 10-20 km/h / alpine high temperature near -15FRIDAY - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries / east winds, 10-15 km/h / alpine high temperature near -15

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanche activity began to slow down on Sunday, but a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January continues to be reactive to human triggers. This layer is sensitive enough for humans to trigger avalanches remotely (from a distance). Human triggered avalanches up to size 2 were reported on Sunday and Monday.This MIN report from Sunday illustrates the potential for humans to remotely trigger the mid January layer.Widespread avalanche activity was reported on Friday and Saturday. Numerous natural avalanches to size 3.5, explosives triggered avalanches to size 2.5, and human triggered avalanches to size 1.5 were reported. Many of these avalanches were triggered remotely (from a distance) and failed on the mid January layer. A few of the recent explosives triggered avalanches stepped down to ground.There is a great MIN report from January 22nd that shows a natural avalanche (size 3.5) in International Basin, on the deep persistent layer. Check it out here. While this is an old observation, it is relevant as this layer is still lurking, and may catch people off guard.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 30-60 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. A very notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-90 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.The base of the snowpack has a deep persistent weak layer near the ground. This layer consists of facets over a crust. This weak interface continues to produce large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature, and very difficult to predict. This layer is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests and rocky outcroppings are some examples of the kind of terrain to be wary of.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

50-90 cm of snow now sits on a weak layer of surface hoar and crust that was buried in mid January. This layer has been most reactive at lower elevations.

Any steep opening in the trees should be treated as suspect right now.Choose low angled terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

30-60 cm of recent new snow has been redistributed by recent winds in many areas, forming wind slabs on all aspects due to a shift in wind direction.

If triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers and result in large avalanches.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The base of the snowpack has a very weak layer that continues to produce very large avalanches from time to time. The probability of triggering this layer is somewhat low, but the consequences are very high.

Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches triggered by cornice fall may be large and destructive.Use caution on alpine slopes, especially around thin areas that may propagate to deep instabilities.Avoid making assumptions about this layer based on aggressive tracks on adjacent slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

3 - 4

Valid until: Feb 6th, 2019 2:00PM