Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 8th, 2017 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
brian webster,
Avalanche Canada
Rising temperatures, additional snow load, and strong winds will increase the danger ratings. Conservative route choices are in order.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A low pressure system will track across the south part of BC bringing rising freezing levels, significant snow-fall , and strong south and sw winds. Freezing levels rising to 1500 m in Lake Louise on Thursday. 20-30 cm of snow are forecasted to fall by Friday. The avalanche danger will increase through the end of the week.
Snowpack Summary
The recent storm has deposited 10-25 cm of storm snow throughout the area. Strong winds from the Yoho Blow have been ripping through the Kicking Horse Pass, but outside this area the winds have generally been light except at the higher elevations. Generally the mid-pack is weak below 2000m and more settled above this elevation.
Avalanche Summary
Explosive control on Tuesday produced small results up to size 2 on Mt Bosworth and Mt Bourgeau.
On Wednesday morning a natural Class 3.5-4 avalanche was triggered on the Mt Stephen Road Avalanche Path. This was triggered at 2600m by a large serac fall and ran down to the bottom of the run-out. Debris on highway was 50m wide X 1.5m deep.
Confidence
Problems
Persistent Slabs
The persistent weak layer in the mid-pack may waken up with the additional storm snow and the warming temperatures forecasted for Thursday.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
New snow and strong forecasted winds will create new wind slabs in alpine and treeline regions.
- Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by an upslope storm.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 9th, 2017 4:00PM
