Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 13th, 2014 8:34AM

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

Avalanche Canada jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Friday: Continued light snowfall / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 800mSaturday: Light snowfall becoming moderate overnight / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 900mSunday: Light snowfall / Moderate to strong southwest winds / Freezing level at surface

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported. Activity in neighboring regions suggests there may have been a round of storm slab activity to size 2 in deeper snowpack areas in response to recent wind and snow.

Snowpack Summary

Between 20 and 45cm of recent storm snow overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Reports from the field indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. I would expect the developing storm slab to be mostly reactive in the deeper snowpack areas, or in exposed terrain where the new snow has been shifted into wind slabs. Forecast warming may also add cohesion to the slab contributing to its reactivity.The mid snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some areas, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
In deeper snowpack areas over 40cm of new snow sits over a variety of potentially weak surfaces. Watch for increased triggering in wind-exposed terrain where deeper, more destructive slabs are likely to exist.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.>Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 14th, 2014 2:00PM