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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 25th, 2012–Feb 26th, 2012

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

Regions

South Columbia.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Cloudy. Gradually cooling temperatures and clearing skies as a ridge of high pressure approaches. A few flurries. Light northerly winds. Freezing level valley floor.Monday: Clear with valley cloud. No precipitation. Light westerly winds. Remaining cold.Tuesday: Flurries on western slopes. Light-moderate south-westerly winds. Becoming slightly milder.

Avalanche Summary

A large natural avalanche cycle occurred on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Slab avalanches were reported up to Size 3.5 on all aspects and at all elevations. There were also numerous reports of skier triggered and remotely triggered avalanches on a variety of aspects. The potential for human triggered avalanches remains high and it may be possible to trigger an avalanche from the bottom of a slope.

Snowpack Summary

Deep wind slabs have formed on a variety of aspects at all elevations. Up to 1m of new snow now sits on the February 16th surface hoar layer. The February 8th interface is now down 100-140cm. This layer is a combination of weak layers: In most locations it marks a widespread surface hoar layer. On steep south- and west-facing aspects, a sun crust that formed during the drought was also buried on Feb. 8th. This crust probably has a bit of faceting below it too, meaning that most terrain in the region has a weak layer in the upper snowpack. These buried weaknesses have made conditions very tricky with the potential for triggering in low-angled terrain and from a distance. Large cornices remain widespread throughout the region.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.