Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 6th, 2015 8:37AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Wet Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

slemieux, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Avalanche danger is high due to loading from new snow or rain, and wind.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

The Pineapple Express which has been bringing lots of moisture and warm temperatures over the Southern part of BC will continue to spread moderate to heavy precipitation until the end of the day Saturday, taper off on Sunday and pick up again on Monday as another storm passes through. Freezing levels are expected to hover between 1700m and 2000m and winds to blow moderate to strong from the southwest on Saturday. Freezing levels should to start lowering again by Sunday.

Avalanche Summary

Natural and skier triggered moist and wet slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on Friday in the alpine and at treeline. These would have failed within the storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

The ~30 cm recent storm snow is now either wet under 1800m or moist above. Strong winds from the southwest have built thick, touchy wind slabs on east and northeast facing alpine slopes. The sustained rain forecast up to ~1900m through Saturday will continue to break down the late January crust, increasing the possibility of avalanches stepping down to deeper weak layers. Avalanche danger will therefore stay high and traveling in the backcountry will remain very dangerous. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar combo is found down 50-95 cm and could come out of its dormant stage making for some very large avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Expect heavy snow to keep accumulating in the alpine adding load to the current storm slab and wind slabs to keep developing on North and NorthEast facing slopes.

Reduce your exposure to runout zones.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wet Slabs

Wet loose and slab avalanches are expected to slide naturally where the surface snow will be saturated with water.

Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The rain deteriorating the late January crust could lead to avalanches stepping down to the deeper weak layers.

Be aware of the potential for very large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar and crust/facet layer.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 4

Valid until: Feb 7th, 2015 2:00PM