Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 11th, 2014–Feb 12th, 2014

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high

Below Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high

Below Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high

Regions: Glacier.

Significant snowfall overnight sits over a weak layer 'sandwich'. Avalanches will be triggered and run easily over these layers. Manage your exposure to overhead hazard. This trend will continue for the next few days.

Weather Forecast

We are at a lull between storms for today, light snow is expected until tonight when a more significant system arrives. The approaching storm system has more of a southwest component bringing warmer air, strong southwest winds and rising freezing levels. Precipitation will be moderate to heavy amounts beginning late tonight into Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

35cm of low density snow sits over a variety snow surfaces including surface hoar, facets and a melt freeze crusts on solar aspects. Two other surface hoar layers are buried within 20cm of the upper one. The mid-pack is well settled comprised of more facetted snow crystals for the cold spell.

Avalanche Summary

A brief look at the avalanche paths in the highway corridor this morning showed numerous natural avalanches at all elevations running onto the fans. The same can be expected in the backcountry.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

35cm of new snow has fallen onto a surface that will not bond easily. Triggering avalanches will not be difficult due to the nature of the recently buried weak layers.

Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Winds have picked up with lots of light snow available to be pushed around. Expect wind slabs to continue to form at higher elevations as the day progresses.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Dry

Large sluffs can be expected in steep terrain. They are likely to gain mass and move quickly. Take extra care above and below terrain traps.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2