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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 3rd, 2018–Feb 4th, 2018
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Glacier.

Strong winds and heavy snowfall overnight will mean a spike in avalanche activity today. Expect to find touchy storm slabs and naturals reaching the bottom of runouts

Weather Forecast

Today there will be a brief lull between storms. We'll have a mostly cloudy day with some sunny breaks. Ridge winds will be from the West at 25 km/hr, gusting to 75!! and freezing levels climbing to 1400m. The next shot of precip looks to arrive Sunday, bringing another 10-15cm.

Snowpack Summary

25cm of new snow overnight brings our weekly total to over 1 meter. Strong South winds will have created a reactive windslab in the alpine. A meter and a half of settling snow sits over the Jan 16th surface hoar layer. This is the uppermost PWL and is still distinct and easy to pick out on pit walls.

Avalanche Summary

Rapid loading from heavy snowfall yesterday triggered a natural avalanche cycle to size 3.0, these were running well into runouts. Field teams observed a touchy 15 cm storm slab at treeline & below aswell.An Avalanche Canada MIN report has an excellent description and photos of a large avalanche that occurred in Loop Brook during the 18-01-29.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Ongoing heavy snowfall has created a storm slab. Strong to extreme South winds will have redistributed new snow into a touchy windslab in the Alpine & at Treeline. If triggered, the slab could step down to deeper persistent weak layers.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Natural avalanche activity will increase today with forecasted new snow and ongoing winds. The Jan 16th, 4th and Dec 15th surface hoar layers are buried deep, but avalanches in the storm snow can step down and trigger these weak interfaces.
Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5