Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 7th, 2014 8:57AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ghelgeson,
Avalanche Canada
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Summary
Confidence
Fair - Wind effect is extremely variable
Weather Forecast
Synopsis: The formidable ridge continues to dominate the weather through the weekend before breaking down on Monday as a series of frontal systems out of the SW begin to stack up offshore. Saturday: Sky: Broken; Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precip: Nil Wind: Light, VariableSunday: Sky: Broken; Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precip: Nil Wind: Light, VariableMonday: Sky: Overcast; Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precip: 5/10 cm Wind: Light, SW | Strong W/SW at ridgetop.
Avalanche Summary
Surface sluffing to size 1.5 was reported on Thursday. No other significant avalanche activity was reported Wednesday or Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
A small front came through the region on January 29th leaving up to 10 cm of snow in it's wake. Outflow winds (out of the N/NW) have formed small wind slabs in wind exposed terrain at and above treeline. Well settled snow can be found in wind protected features. Below the wind slabs and settled storm snow a weak layer exists that consists of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a significant problem if/when it finally starts snowing again. The rest of the upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for now but may rear it's ugly head again in the future. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Cold temps and time have gone to work on the wind slabs and they've become a lot less sensitive. Keep your guard up at ridge crest where you're most likely to find rider triggerable wind slabs and watch for aggressive sluffing in steep terrain.
Carefully consider the impact a thin wind slab will have on your proposed line, especially in high consequence terrain. Have a backup line in mind in case you need to seek more sheltered riding. >Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 8th, 2014 2:00PM
