Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 5th, 2015 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.

Avalanche Canada stephen holeczi, Avalanche Canada

We expect a natural avalanche cycle to start Friday continuing through to Saturday night. Avoid avalanche terrain as conditions will change rapidly Friday. Excellent powder skiing in lower elevation areas out of the wind. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

50+cm is currently forecast at treeline in the Little Yoho region by Saturday night. Temperatures will go above freezing at valley bottom and we may see rain below treeline at some point. Alpine winds are forecast to be in the strong range over this period.

Snowpack Summary

50cm of recent storm snow sits on the Jan 30 interface(consists of a 1-2cm ice crust up to 1800m). Test results today at 1500 and 1900m on Mt. Field found inconsistent shears on that interface. Over the next 2 days, as the next storm continues to add load, this bond to the Jan 30 interface and within the storm snow will be critical.

Avalanche Summary

Sunshine village was reporting skier controlled storm slabs to size 1 in open alpine regions. These were running on the Jan 30 interface. No avalanches were observed in the Mt. Field area, only sloughing in steep (40+ degree) ski terrain.

Confidence

on Friday

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Another 50+ cm and strong alpine winds are expected over the next 48 hours. Expect rampant storm slabs to be forming and failing either within the storm snow or on the Jan 30 interface, especially at upper elevations.

  • Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

30-50 cm of low density powder currently, and 50+cm more over the next 48 hours will sluff easily and run fast and far on the Jan. 30th crust or within the storm snow itself. Watch your sluff in steep terrain and heads up if the wind picks up.

  • On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
  • The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely - Certain

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 6th, 2015 4:00PM