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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 9th, 2020–Feb 10th, 2020
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: North Columbia.

Broken skies with little precipitation along with winds switching direction will keep wind slabs at upper elevations the main concern.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

Sunday Night: Cloudy with clear periods. Light to moderate northwest wind. Alpine high temperatures around -10.

Monday: Cloudy with sunny breaks. Light northwest wind. Alpine high temperatures around -6.

Tuesday: Scattered flurries. Light to moderate west wind. Alpine high temperatures around -5.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate west wind. Alpine high temperatures around -8.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Saturday show numerous loose dry avalanche size 1-1.5 running in steep terrain in the alpine and at tree line. There were also a few skier and rider along with naturally triggered storm and wind slab avalanches size 1-1.5.

Thursday and Friday's reports showed loose dry size 1-1.5 avalanches running naturally from steep slopes facing the sun and a few small (size 1) wind slabs triggered with ski cutting and skier traffic on steeper rolls and ridgetop features.

Snowpack Summary

30-60 cm of snow from the last week now overlies older wind-affected snow at high elevations, with about half this amount instead overlying a widespread melt-freeze or rain crust to a variable upper extent of 1700-2400 metres in elevation. 

The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong. Although isolated, there are two deeper weak layers that may persist in some areas. A weak layer of surface hoar buried 90 to 170 cm deep may be found across the north of the region while a facet/crust layer from November may be found near the ground in shallower snowpack areas.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent snowfall combined with elevated and shifting winds built wind slabs. Be mindful of areas where wind slab and cornice distribution overlap.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2