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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 14th, 2016–Feb 15th, 2016

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

Strong winds combined with the recent snowfall will keep the avalanche hazard elevated. Continued caution and conservative terrain selection is advised following the recent human triggered avalanches on the persistent weak layer.

Weather Forecast

A strong northwest flow sets up a very active week of weather ahead. We should see 5-10 cm of snow across the region by Monday evening with temperatures from -5 to -10C and strong (50-70 km/hr) westerly winds. This pattern of short bursts of 5 cm snowfalls looks to continue through the week.

Snowpack Summary

Fresh windslab and cornice growth is occurring with 10- 25 cm of recent snow and moderate to strong west winds. A 50-100 cm slab overlies the January 6th weak layer of surface hoar (below 2000m), facets and sun crust. This layer is quite well preserved in many locations. The lower part of the snowpack is generally well settled.

Avalanche Summary

Some human triggered windslabs were reported today in alpine areas. A few close calls in the last week. Friday, a group of 8 triggered a size 2 just left of the regular final approach slope to Bow Hut at 2400m on a NE aspect that was 40-80cm deep (Jan 6th layer), and ran 350m. This event caught 3, fully burying 1, and partially burying 2 more.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.