Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 8th, 2014 8:35AM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Mainly clear / Light northerly winds / Alpine temperatures at -18Monday: Light to moderate snowfall / Moderate to strong southwest winds / Freezing level at surfaceTuesday: Light to moderate snowfall / Moderate to strong southwest winds / Freezing level at surface

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported.

Snowpack Summary

A highly variable snowpack surface includes surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, and scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Remember to take stock of current surface conditions, especially crusts, surface hoar, and facets. Once buried buy a cohesive slab, surface hoar or a thin layer of facets sitting on a crust almost always becomes a weak layer for avalanches, and will often persist.In sheltered areas, large surface hoar is growing on a few centimeters of faceted old storm snow sitting on the late January crust, which is likely faceted and laminated and could have surface hoar on top. The entire snowpack is likely faceting to some degree, especially where it is shallow. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers. Cornices are also becoming brittle.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Isolated fresh thin pockets of hard and soft wind slabs may be lurking below ridge crests and behind terrain features in exposed terrain.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 9th, 2014 2:00PM