Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 6th, 2013 9:21AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Cornices.

Avalanche Canada mpeter, Avalanche Canada

The south end of the region has seen much more new snow than the north end. Be locally aware to the conditions where you are traveling.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Expect clouds to lift and precipitation to tail off, replaced by mixed skies later in the day. Winds should be light from the north with alpine temperatures reaching -4.Friday: Mostly sunny, with continued light northerly winds and temperatures reaching -4.Saturday: The ridge remains in place, yielding light northerlies and mostly sunny skies. Alpine temperatures may reach -1 with the freezing level climbing to 1200m.

Avalanche Summary

We have reports of natural, explosive and rider triggered windslabs up to size 1.5 failing on northwest through east facing terrain These are failing at treeline and in the alpine. Remote and accidental triggering have been observed.

Snowpack Summary

A further 10-20 of new snow has fallen bringing storm totals to between 50-75cm (deepest amounts in the southern portion of the region). Consistent southerly winds continue, building windslabs in lee terrain. Newly buried surfaces include old windslabs, temperature and sun crusts. The new snow is bonding reasonably well at this interface with the most concern being the 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. The mid pack is generally well settled with the average snowpack depth at treeline around 180 cm.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
New windslabs are forming in lee features at treeline and in the alpine due to consistent southwesterly winds. Also, the new snow may initially bond poorly to the crusts present on many slopes; significant sluffing or stormslabbing is possible.
The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.>Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Conditions are prime for cornice growth.
Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Feb 7th, 2013 2:00PM