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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 12th, 2015–Feb 13th, 2015
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
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.

Continued warm temperatures have made for poor conditions below 1800m. At higher elevations, conditions are still prime for human triggering and cautious route selection is essential.

Weather Forecast

Continued warm temperatures with freezing levels around 2000m until Saturday AM. The winds have picked up from the west and are forecasted to be in the moderate to strong range at ridgetop until Saturday PM. A small bout of precipitation (5 -10 mm) on Friday overnight, but otherwise partly cloudy skies with a clearing trend Saturday AM.

Snowpack Summary

45-70 cm of storm snow above 2000m overlies either a rain crust or facets from January 30th. This snow combined with warm temperatures has created storm and wind slabs. Lower elevation ski conditions are abysmal with little recovery overnight creating isothermal conditions below 1800m today.

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanche activity is tapering as the snowpack slowly adjusts to the new load. However, moderate to hard sudden collapse snowpack tests today in the Bow Summit area indicate skier triggering is still very possible.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

50 to 90 cm of storm snow lays over the Jan 30 crust interface. A weak bond exists on this interface and storm snow avalanches are possible.

  • Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wind Slabs

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Wet

Continued warm temperatures have created isothermal conditions below 1800m. Use caution in any steep terrain when the snowpack is isothermal.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2