Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 10th, 2013–Feb 11th, 2013

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

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

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

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A series of frontal systems are expected to bring generally light precipitation to the region through the forecast period.Monday: Flurries. Freezing level around 800m. NW winds gusting to 40 km/h at ridgetop.Tuesday: 5-10 cm new snow. Freezing level around 1000m. Westerly winds gusting to 60 km/h at ridgetop.Wednesday: Flurries or light snow in the morning, dry in the afternoon. Freezing level around 600m. Light NW winds.

Avalanche Summary

There were reports of loose snow avalanches on solar aspects to size 1.5 and cornice releases on northerly aspects up to size 3.

Snowpack Summary

The most recent storm, which ended Friday morning, brought widely varying snowfall amounts to the region, with 30cm in the north end of the region and up to 90cm at the south end. Consistent southerly winds during the storm period built windslabs in lee terrain and helped grow cornices.Recently buried surfaces (the Feb. 3 interface) include old windslabs and sun crusts. Surface hoar might be lurking on shady, sheltered slopes around treeline elevations. The new snow is bonding reasonably well at this interface in most locations with the highest concern being the bond to crusts on south and west facing terrain. The January 23rd interface (crusts, facets and surface hoar crystals) lingers in isolated locations. This layer seems to be rounding and bonding under current conditions, but we have reports of a recent size 2.0 releasing on this layer. The mid pack is generally well settled with the average snowpack depth at treeline around 180 cm.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New and old wind slabs exist in the region behind ridges and ribs in exposed areas. Where new snow overlies a crust there is an increased likelihood of triggering.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 4