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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 5th, 2017–Feb 6th, 2017
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
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
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Lizard-Flathead.

New snow is creating touchy storm slabs: It's time to rein in your terrain choices and stick to simple, no consequence terrain. Avoid all overhead hazard as well - avalanches have already been running to valley bottom.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Significant snowfall through to Monday afternoon.MONDAY: Heavy snow Sunday overnight into Monday with 35-50cms forecast / Moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -12TUESDAY: Scattered flurries / Light southwest wind / Alpine temperature -10WEDNESDAY: Periods of snow, accumulation 5-10cm by day's end / Light to moderate southwast wind / Alpine temperature -9

Avalanche Summary

Several natural and skier-remote triggered avalanches to Size 3 were reported on Sunday: storm slabs running on all aspects. Control results from Sunday morning indicated touchy conditions giving widespread results in the storm snow from Size 1 to 2.5, including sympathetic releases of slopes nearby as well!The size of natural avalanches is expected to increase and the distribution expected to be widespread by late Monday: It's time to seriously dial back the terrain use and stick to simple, no consequence terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Anywhere from 25-45cm of new, low-density snow sits on previous surfaces that may include heavily wind affected snow, surface hoar in sheltered areas and/or facets. This new snow has been transported by west through southeast winds and is forming touchy storm slabs up to 80cm thick at almost all elevations and aspects. By Saturday afternoon the new storm snow was forming slabs and running naturally on northerly aspects in the Corbin zone. The hard windslabs below the recent storm snow have not bonded well to the previous surface and are easy to trigger in isolated lee and cross-loaded features. About 70cm below the surface, you'll find sugary facet crystals which formed during December's cold snap. Although avalanches are currently unexpected at this interface, this layer could come back to life with with warming, significant loading or a large trigger at a thin spot.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

The size and distribution of natural storm slab avalanches will increase significantly by Monday afternoon. Avoid all avalanche terrain.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Be aware of the potential for avalanches due to buried surface hoar in isolated areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3