Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 10th, 2016 8:38AM

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

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

Triggering large avalanches remains possible. Carefully evaluate conditions before venturing into bigger terrain.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Clearing throughout the day with freezing levels around 1800m and light variable winds. FRIDAY: Mainly cloudy with light snow bringing as much as 5-10cm. Freezing levels reaching 1800m and light southwesterly winds. SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy with continued light snowfall totalling 5-10cm of accumulation. Freezing levels should drop to 1600m and winds are expected to be moderate from the southwest.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Tuesday include several natural 40-60cm thick storm and wind slab avalanche up to Size 3. Recent natural persistent slab avalanche activity was also observed, with a report of a 1-2 day old Size 2, which released well below the top of the south facing start zone, suspected to have run on the early January surface hoar sitting on a crust. A continued cycle of natural loose wet sluffs reaching Size 2 on sun-exposed slopes, as well as cornice collapses, were also reported.

Snowpack Summary

Wet surface snow has refrozen into a supportive crust in most places; however, dry soft snow with new surface hoar growth may be found at treeline elevations on shaded aspects. Storm snow weaknesses down 40-60cm remain sensitive. Avalanche professionals are still monitoring the persistent weakness buried early January, which is now down 80-120 cm. In most places it is no longer sensitive to light triggers. However, in specific locations it still produces hard, but sudden results in snowpack tests.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recently formed wind slabs lurking below ridgecrests and behind terrain features remain sensitive to human triggers.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid wind loaded slopes.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

A deeply buried weak layer can still be triggered in some places, creating very large avalanches.

Be cautious of open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Feb 11th, 2016 2:00PM