Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 8th, 2018–Feb 9th, 2018

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high

Below Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

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: Glacier.

Avoid avalanche terrain. A natural cycle is producing results up to size 3.0 and running into valley bottoms.

Weather Forecast

Though I won't be skiing today I still managed to get face shots while driving to work with 40cm on the closed highway. Light snow for today, 15km/hr gusting to 70km/hr winds from the east and temps to remain around -3. Tomorrow will mark the start of a prolonged high pressure system, temps and wind will drop and the skies will clear.

Snowpack Summary

40cm of low density snow overnight adds to the weekly total of 155cm, with a two week total of 270cm. The mid Dec and Jan persistent weak layers are now buried 150-200cm in the snowpack with a height of snow of 350cm at 1900m. Expect to find reactive storm slab and pockets of wind slab above tree line into the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous size 2 - 2.5 natural avalanches seen along the highway corridor yesterday. Sluff was moving fast and traveling far in steep trees yesterday but had no slab properties.Artillery avalanche control is producing numerous large avalanches up to size 3.5 (possibly 4.0) which have buried the highway in several locations.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Another 40cm overnight adds to our storm slab which has reached its critical load. The storm slab will need some time to adjust, settle out and stabilize.

Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The Jan 16th, 4th and Dec 15th surface hoar layers have been quiet recently but may reawaken given a large trigger such as a storm slab avalanche or cornice fall.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5

Loose Dry

Rapid snowfall, with 40cm of low density overnight will be easy to get moving in steep terrain. Both natural and skier triggered sluffing can be expected today.

Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2