Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 9th, 2014 8:30AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
jlammers,
Avalanche Canada
You may be powder-starved, but mother nature is calling the shots with touchy, high consequence conditions expected for the forecast period. Conservative terrain selection will become critical.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Monday
Weather Forecast
The ridge of high pressure and the associated cold arctic air is on its way out giving way to a more zonal pattern. A series of punchy systems will impact the Coast for the forecast period.Monday: Snowfall becoming heavy throughout the day with southern areas seeing the highest accumulations / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 800mTuesday: Heavy snowfall / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 1000mWednesday: Heavy snowfall / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 1500m
Avalanche Summary
A few size 1 wind slabs were observed in exposed alpine terrain on Saturday. I would expect touchy storm slab conditions with forecast weather over the next few days.
Snowpack Summary
Current snow surfaces include surface facets, patchy surface hoar, thin wind slabs, scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Recent cold temperatures have also continued to facet shallow snowpack areas, including rocky or shallow bed surfaces left exposed by the last avalanche cycle. Once buried by the forecast storm snow, facets sitting on a hard surface or at ground level will most likely be the interface to watch.The mid snowpack is generally strong and well-settled; although basal facets remain on the radar as a low probability/ high consequence problem for some operators.
Problems
Storm Slabs
The avalanche danger will rise as Monday's storm intensifies with punchy storm slab development. Due to freshly buried weak layers, touchy conditions may persist for a while. Watch for increased triggering in wind-affected terrain.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 10th, 2014 2:00PM
