Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 12th, 2017–Feb 13th, 2017

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Coast.

Avoid steep sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day. Don't let your guard down with warm temperatures and sunny skies.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Sunny and very warm by noon on Monday... and then very wet on Wednesday. MONDAY: Sunny, warming significantly with alpine highs to +10 Celsius / Moderate southeasterly winds / Freezing level around 3000 m (!) TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with spotty showers / High temperatures to +7 Celsius / Light, southwesterly winds/ Freezing level around 2800 m. WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate southerly winds / Freezing level around 2200m.

Avalanche Summary

No new observed.

Snowpack Summary

The snow from late last week (15-25cm) has consolidated well at treeline and below. This makes 50-70 cm of cumulative storm snow which is bonding well to a knife hard crust buried Feb 3rd. In the alpine, where all of the precipitation has fallen as snow, the storm slabs have taken longer to settle out and still are a concern: Dig down to test the bond of the more recent snow layers. The mid and lower snowpack are settled and well bonded with the average snowpack depth at treeline 250-300 cm.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Just because it's t-shirt weather and a holiday Monday doesn't mean you can get complacent: Avoid steep sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Storm Slabs

Treeline and above on northerly aspects will have small storm slabs (in some places sitting on a crust). Storm slabs in the alpine will be possibly more reactive than shown here, especially on northerly aspects.

Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed touchy slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2