Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Feb 10 – 11, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Pockets of wind slab are likely to exist at higher elevations on a variety of aspects and may react to the weight of a skier/rider. Steep sheltered terrain could see loose dry or wet snow avalanches depending on aspect.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Large and potentially weak cornices loom over open slopes and may fail with daytime warming and/or solar radiation.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Monday: The pattern and flow starts changing today as the ridge move southward and a zonal flow sets up. An embedded cold front will move through the region bringing moderate NW winds and a trace of snow. Treeline temperatures will sit near -5 and freezing levels will be around 1800 m. Tuesday: The fast paced zonal flow will continue with a trough moving in from the West bringing moderate-strong NW winds and light snow accumulations. Treeline temperatures will be near -8 and freezing levels around 1800 m.Wednesday: Another ridge is building bringing dryer conditions, especially for the short term. Ridgetop winds will be light from the West. Treeline temperatures -10 and freezing levels falling to valley bottom. 

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanche observations reported. On Saturday, the only notable events occurred in the Lizard Range with a couple skier triggered wind slabs size 1-1.5, the crown depth was 20-30 deep and 15-20 m wide. Slab showed decent propagation. There were also a few size 1 loose snow avalanches were reported running out of steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of recent snowfall has been redistributed into dense or hard wind slabs at higher elevations from variable winds. A hard sun crust is likely on steep solar aspects. The new storm snow overlies old wind slabs in exposed areas, settled storm snow or spotty surface hoar in more sheltered terrain, and a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. A variable interface (surface hoar/facets/sun crust) was buried on Jan 23 and is down about 20-40cm. In most locations it now appears to be well bonded. The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.Cornices in the region are reported to be well developed and loom over heavily used slopes.

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