Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 20th, 2013 10:06AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jfloyer, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A storm impacts this region late on Friday.Thursday: Mostly dry with a chance of flurries. Winds light southwesterly. Freezing level around 1000 m.Friday: 10-20 cm new snow is expected. Strong southwesterly winds to 60 km/h at ridgetop. Freezing level 1000 m.Saturday: Light snow in the morning, dry in the afternoon. Winds becoming light northwesterly. Freezing level 800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Loose snow avalanches have been reported in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

10-25 cm of recent snow overlies a pair of surface hoar layers buried mid February (Feb 12th and Feb 16th). The burial depth of these layers is still shallow, and for the most part the snow above is still light. However, there may be isolated slopes where the wind has blown the new snow into wind-stiffened deposits sufficiently deep to create a potentially harmful slide. Additionally, the well-developed crystals associated with these interfaces indicate they may stay with us for a while and present bigger problems as they become more deeply buried. Two previous buried surface hoar/facet/sun crust layers approximately 30 and 50 cm below the surface (Feb 4th and Jan 23, respectively) are still being tracked by professionals but have not been reactive recently. These layers may be worth investigating on a safe, representative adjacent slope if you are considering riding in aggressive terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Generally light but locally gusty winds may have loaded or cross-loaded exposed slopes on a potentially weak interface. Recent winds have blown from the east, making loading on unusual aspects possible.
Watch freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 21st, 2013 2:00PM