Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 22nd, 2013 10:13AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
pgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain for the entire period
Weather Forecast
Friday night/Saturday: Extreme W winds easing to moderate overnight and switching to moderate to strong NW on Saturday. Moderate snowfall overnight, easing to light on Saturday. Alpine temperature around -10.Sunday: Strong W winds. Light snow. Alpine temperature around -7.Monday: Light SW winds. Light to moderate snow. Alpine temperature around -10.
Avalanche Summary
Loose dry avalanches (size 1) have been failing naturally and with skier traffic in steep terrain. I expect the size and frequency of avalanches has increased on Friday, and activity to continue through the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
By Saturday morning, I expect there might be up to 70 cm accumulated recent snow. Snowfall started light and dry this week, and may be easily shifted onto lee slopes by strong W to NW winds. New storm slabs, cornices and wind slabs are likely. Mostly this snow overlies loose dry surfaces, old wind slabs below ridge crests, and sun crusts on solar aspects. A surface hoar/facet/sun crust layer from mid February (12th) may be buried in the upper snowpack, but it has not been widely reported from this region. Mid and lower snowpack layers are generally well settled and stable.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Loading from new snow and wind will rapidly increase avalanche danger, particularly on wind-loaded slopes.
Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.>Stick to non-avalanche terrain or small features with limited consequence.>Be aware of what is above you at all times.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 23rd, 2013 2:00PM
