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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 4th, 2016–Feb 5th, 2016
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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: Little Yoho.

We are in a holding pattern until more snow and wind arrive Saturday. This means natural avalanches aren't occurring on a regular basis, but we still lack confidence in the current snowpack to step out into bigger terrain. SH

Weather Forecast

Increasing West winds and a few cm Friday.  Alpine temperatures will rise slightly, but will stay in the -6 to -9 range.  Up to 10cm is currently forecast for Saturday accompanied by moderate to strong alpine West winds. 

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs in alpine and treeline areas. 40-70cm of snow sits over the Jan 6 surface hoar/facet layer and remains reactive to skier triggering. Test results Wednesday on the Jan 6 layer were in the hard range. Isolated whumphing on Mt. Field recently, likely on the Jan 6 layer.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported over the last 24 hours.  Lots of evidence of the previous widespread natural avalanche cycle up to size 3 on all aspects with some large propagations around Mt. Field.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Slabs 30 to 50cm deep exist in alpine lee areas. Although these slabs are slowly becoming more difficult to trigger, human triggering is still possible.

  • Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features
  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An average of 40-70 cm overlies the Jan 6 layer of surface hoar and facets. Test results on this layer show it is still in the range of human triggering with potential for failures to step down into deeper layers and result in large avalanches.

  • Avoid open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3