Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 4th, 2014 9:21AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada slemieux, Avalanche Canada

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Summary

Confidence

Fair - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

Tonight and Wednesday: A ridge of high pressure is bringing cold and clear conditions. Strong winds from the E-NE are forecasted, mainly clear skies and temperatures around -25 C.Thursday: The ridge remains dominant bringing similar conditions except moderate winds becoming light from the NE and slightly warmer temperatures (-15 C).Friday: Similar conditions with lighter winds.

Avalanche Summary

Natural small loose snow avalanches were observed today out of extreme terrain. Yesterday, isolated pillows of wind slab formed in the immediate lee of ridge crests and were reactive to the weight of a skier. Small loose dry avalanches were also triggered by ski cuts in steep terrain features.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of recent snow overlie a variety of surfaces from well developed surface hoar, to old unreactive wind slabs or a melt-freeze crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. Today, there has been some windslab development from N and NE winds, but there is still lots of loose snow available for transport.  With the forecasted strong winds tomorrow, expect more and probably touchier windslabs, especially in the alpine and below ridgetop at treeline on S and SW aspects. Weak faceted snow exists in the lower snowpack, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thinner. Although these weaknesses still appear in some snowpack tests, avalanches at this interface have become unlikely to trigger.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Strong forecasted winds and snow available for transport is likely going to create touchy windslabs that could easily be triggered by a sledder or skier. 
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 5th, 2014 2:00PM