Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 5th, 2014 8:09AM

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

Avalanche Canada rbuhler, Avalanche Canada

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Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

A strong arctic ridge remains over the interior creating outflow conditions along the coast. Clear and cold conditions persist. Thursday: Clear and sunny, treeline temperatures around -20C, mountaintop winds 40km/h SE in the morning decreasing during the dayFriday/Saturday: Clear and sunny, treeline temperatures around -20C, mountaintop winds light-to-moderate variable

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, 2 size 1 avalanches were reported in the north of the region.  The first was a natural wind slab on a steep NW aspect. The second was a small skier triggered slab on a steep moraine feature with faceted snow.

Snowpack Summary

Thin windslabs may still exist in isolated leeward features on a variety of aspects at treeline and in the alpine while wind-exposed features have become heavily scoured. Recent cold temperatures and clear skies are causing faceting of the upper snowpack which should be causing the remaining wind slabs to break-down. In more sheltered areas, several centimetres of dry snow may overlie a melt-freeze crust, surface hoar, facets, or a combination of the above. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated and there are currently no layers of concern. However, weak basal facets may still be a concern in isolated areas, especially thin snowpack areas at higher elevations.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Thin wind slabs may still exist in isolated leeward features on a variety of aspects in wind exposed terrain. These are generally becoming stubborn to trigger but may still possible in isolated areas.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 6th, 2014 2:00PM

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