Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 3rd, 2016 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Lisa Paulson,
Avalanche Canada
By definition, treeline is rated as moderate. However, be very cautious with steep open slopes and glades at treeline. Human triggering is still possible in these locations.
Summary
Weather Forecast
For thursday expect scattered flurries moderate west wind with strong gusts and slightly warmer temperatures. On Friday ridge top wind will be moderate to strong with daytime highs being a little warmer (-8C ish). By Saturday, we may see a little snow, but it's bit early to tell how much...
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs in alpine and treeline areas. 40-70cm of snow sits over the Jan 6 surface hoar/facet layer and remains reactive to skier triggering. Test results today on the Jan 6 layer were in the hard range. Isolated whumphing on Mt. Field recently, likely on the Jan 6 layer.
Avalanche Summary
Lots of evidence of the previous widespread natural avalanche cycle up to size 3 on all aspects with some large propagations around Mt. Field.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Slabs 30 to 50cm deep exist in alpine lee areas. Although these slabs are slowly becoming more difficult to trigger, human triggering is still possible.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
30-70 cm of snow overlies the Jan 6 layer of surface hoar and facets. Test results on this layer show it is still in the range of human triggering with potential for failures to step down into deeper layers and result in large avalanches.
- Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences
- Avoid open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 4th, 2016 4:00PM
