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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 13th, 2013–Feb 14th, 2013

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Confidence

Fair - Due to variable weather conditions

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Moderate snowfall / Strong to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 600mFriday: Moderate snowfall becoming heavy in the afternoon / Extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 800mSaturday: Moderate snowfall / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 500m

Avalanche Summary

A widespread avalanche cycle up to size 3 was reported in response to Tuesday's storm. The most activity appears to have been close to Terrace. Avalanche activity is expected to pick-up again with weather forecast for Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

A big dump of snow brought up to 80cm and an average of about 40cm new to the region on Tuesday. Strong winds have blown the new snow into wind slabs in exposed lee areas. The new snow sits on above previous wind slabs on shady slopes in the alpine and at treeline, and a rain/sun crust at lower elevations/solar aspects, respectively. Deeper buried crusts exist within the snowpack, but are reported to have bonded well. I imagine that after the most recent avalanche cycle, these will be difficult or near impossible to trigger, except with very big loads, such as a cornice fall. The mid and lower snowpack layers are generally well settled.With the current weather pattern, I would also suspect ongoing cornice development and recommend a cautious approach on or below ridgecrests..

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.