Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Feb 17, 2019Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Recent snowfall may continue to be reactive to riders on Sunday. Use added caution at higher elevations where the wind has formed touchy deposits. Also use caution in openings below treeline such as cutblocks, where a buried weak layer may be touchy.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Around 20 cm of recent snow may be touchy. Use added caution in lee terrain features near ridges, as winds have formed deeper deposits. The wind was first from the west and more recently from the northeast, so all lee features are suspect.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5
    A weak layer of surface hoar is buried around 50 to 80 cm, which is best preserved in shaded and sheltered areas between 1600 m and 1900 m.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 1 to 5 cm, light to moderate north wind, alpine temperature -22 C.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, light to moderate northeast wind, alpine temperature -24 C.MONDAY: Mostly clear skies, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -16 C.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light west wind, alpine temperature -14 C.

Avalanche Summary

Several wind slabs were triggered by skiers and explosives on Friday and Saturday. They were large (size 2), 20 to 40 cm deep, and in alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Around 20 cm of snow fell Friday and Saturday, with a bit more expected on Sunday. The snow likely has slab properties where it fell with wind at higher elevations and could be loose in sheltered areas.The mid-January layer of surface hoar is buried around 50 to 80 cm. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m.The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains.

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