Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 8th, 2014–Feb 9th, 2014

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

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

Regions: Purcells.

CAC Mobile App version 3 is now available on iTunes and Google Play featuring the new Observer Network. See this blog post for more details.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: The shockingly robust and long lived ridge persists through the weekend. It finally breaks down on Sunday opening the door to a string of frontal systems that are queuing up in the Eastern Pacific. Expect snow totals to be greater in the southern half of the region.Sunday: Sky: Sunny; Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precip: Nil Wind: Light, VariableMonday: Sky: Overcast; Freezing Level: 800m; Precip: Trace in the North, 5/10 cm in the South Wind: Light, SW | Strong SW at ridgetop. Monday night: Strong SW winds at all elevations. Extreme at ridge top.Tuesday: Sky: Overcast; Freezing Level: 700m; Precip: 5/10cm in the North, 10/15 in the South Wind: Light, SW | Strong SW at ridgetop.

Avalanche Summary

On friday we received reports of limited loose dry activity in addition to a solitary report of a small wind slab that was unintentionally triggered by a skier in the southern half of the region on a cross loaded moraine feature.

Snowpack Summary

The January 29th system left 10 - 20 cm of snowfall in it's wake with the greatest accumulations in the southern portion of the region. Winds largely dominated by northerly outflow formed pockets of wind slab up to 40cm deep immediately lee of ridgecrest, but they're mostly unreactive at this point.Just underneath the settled storm snow and raggedy old wind slabs lies a significant weakness composed of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a problem early next week when precipitation once again graces the province. The rest of the snowpack is generally well consolidated.In isolated areas where the snowpack is thinner or in steep rocky features a facet/crust weakness near the ground remains a concern. In most places the depth of this layer combined with the strength of the overlying slab makes triggering an avalanche unlikely. However, if you were unlucky enough to find a weak spot the consequences could be deadly serious.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Cold temps and time have gone to work on the wind slabs and they're largely unreactive at this time. Winds have also backed off, so fresh wind slab formation is unlikely. Watch for the odd rider triggerable wind slab immediately lee of ridge crest.

Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2