Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 5th, 2016 7:54AM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

New snow and wind have created fresh wind slabs that are ripe for human triggering.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

Expecting 5-15cm of snow by Saturday Morning and then drying out for remainder of period. Friday's snow will be accompanied by strong southwesterly winds. Winds remain moderate westerly on Saturday morning before easing off for the remainder of the period. Freezing levels remain at valley bottom until they rise sharply to near 2000m on Monday.

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 cornice triggered persistent slab which likely failed on a surface hoar layer buried in early January was observed on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

5cm of new snow overnight with strong gusty winds in variable directions have created fresh 20-30cm wind slabs in areas you might not normally expect to find them such as aspects that are generally windward and well below ridge tops. A persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar can be found at variable depths depending on elevation. A weak crust/facet layer from early-December can typically be found down over 1m. Below 1700m the most recent snow hides a melt-freeze crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow and variable strong winds have created touchy wind slabs in areas you may not expect them.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Feb 6th, 2016 2:00PM