Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 12th, 2015 4:20PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
ian jackson,
Avalanche Canada
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.
Summary
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
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 13th, 2015 4:00PM
