Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 9th, 2013–Feb 10th, 2013
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

Many of you will be considering more aggressive objectives this weekend. Don't get complacent; carefully assess terrain, maintain safe travel techniques and watch for changing conditions due to wind or sun. Both can rapidly increase danger.

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure is building today, bringing gusty westerly winds. Expect the light flurries this morning to taper off and the clouds should start to break this afternoon.  Sunday should be mostly clear, with lots of sun and temperatures rising to -2. Monday another cold front enters the area bringing back the clouds and light flurries.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40cm of recent snow is settling. It overlies a sun crust on steep solar aspects. Another layer down ~80cm consists large stellar's and a sun crust on steep solar aspects. The distribution of these layers is spotty, and test results indicate that they are stubborn to trigger but may propagate. Windslabs may exist just below ridgelines.

Avalanche Summary

3 natural avalanches were observed yesterday along the highway. They were size 2-2.5 from N and E aspects. Skiers in the Asulkan drainage reported an avalanche (suspect size 2) adjacent to the Cleaver in the Asulkan drainage. These avalanches were likely triggered by loading by steady moderate SW winds.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Steady SW winds have been transporting snow and triggering natural avalanches from steep lee slopes. Isolated pockets of wind slab will have formed immediately below ridgecrests.
Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

2 layers, down ~40 and ~80cm, exist in isolated areas (see forecast details). They have been reactive to ski cutting on steep unsupported features in Rogers Pass, and in the surrounding region caused several human triggered size 2 avalanches.
Choose well supported terrain without convexities.Choose regroup spots that are out of avalanche terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3