Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 4th, 2015 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
grant statham,
Avalanche Canada
The great conditions will continue until mid-day Thursday, but then it all changes. An avalanche cycle will be in full force by Friday with up to 40 cm expected, freezing levels to 2000m and winds exceeding 110 km/hr. Head for the trees!
Summary
Weather Forecast
The weather is changing as a strong system moves into the area embedded in a westerly flow. Expect 5-10 cm Thursday, 15-20 Friday, and 10 cm on Saturday. Significant warming and winds accompany this system, with freezing levels to 2000 m on Friday and SW wind exceeding 100 km/hr. This may not come true, as the models disagree on snowfall amounts.
Snowpack Summary
40-60 cm of recent storm snow sits on a crust from January 30, and in isolated locations has been blown into windslabs. Over the next few days, as the next storm begins to add load, this bond to the Jan 30 interface will be critical. Expect windslabs by Thursday, with human triggered and natural avalanches likely by Friday.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported or observed in this region today.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
There is 30-50 cm of loose snow available for windslab formation at higher elevations. Currently these windslabs are very isolated or non-existent, but this will change on Thursday as the next storm arrives.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
30 - 50 cm of low density powder will sluff easily and run fast and far on the Jan. 30th crust. Watch your sluff in steep terrain and heads up if the wind picks up.
- The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.
- On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 5th, 2015 4:00PM
