Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 11th, 2017 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
stephen holeczi,
Avalanche Canada
Human triggered avalanches will be likely on Sunday, and the possibility of very large natural avalanches remains possible. Stay on conservative terrain and avoid overhead exposure while the snowpack adjusts to the new load.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A strong Westerly flow will continue on Sunday with only trace amounts of new snow and alpine temperatures into the -10C range. A slow warming trend is currently forecast into next week with temperatures reaching close to 0C in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
40-60 cm of new snow over the past week with extreme SW winds have created new snow slabs over various layers of weaker facets, surface hoar, and buried wind layers. In below treeline areas, this new snow load is sitting on a snowpack entirely made up of facets and depth hoar.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural and explosive triggered avalanches were observed and reported throughout the forecast region up to size 3 in the last 48hrs. These have been occurring on many different aspects and at all elevation bands. Most are between 40-60cm in depth, with some "stepping" down to the deeper weak layers.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Expect drifted snow to be deeper than 100 cm in leeward areas on Saturday and very susceptible to human triggering. Give avalanche terrain a wide berth and remember that fracture lines may extend further that you expect.
- If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The new snow has created a touchy slab over the weak facets at all elevations, resulting in many avalanches that could potentially run full path.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Wind loading has resulted in numerous loose dry avalanches over the last 48 hours out of steep cliffs and gullies. Ice climbers in particular should avoid any climbs in avalanche terrain until this activity dies down.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 12th, 2017 4:00PM
