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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 1st, 2014–Feb 2nd, 2014

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Confidence

Fair - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure will continue to keep things cold and dry well into next week. We should see a mix of sun and cloud for all 3 days of the forecast period, and no significant precipitation is expected. Winds are expected be light and northerly. Alpine temperatures should hover around -15 for Sunday, dropping steadily to about -20 by Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

In the wake of recent snowfall we received reports of widespread sluffing to size 1.5 in steep terrain. A few size 1.5 naturally triggered wind slabs were also report on north facing alpine slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25cm of low density snow now overlies well developed surface hoar which exists on most aspects, and in some cases, well into the alpine. Below this you'll likely find about 10cm of faceted snow over older surface hoar and old, unreactive wind slabs. A melt-freeze crust is now buried on most slopes that saw direct sun last week.Most reports indicate the wind was light during and after the recent snowfall. However, I've also received accounts of localized moderate to strong winds which suggests the new snow likely exists as a reactive wind slab in some areas.The recent prolonged warm temperatures have formed a strong and supportive midpack. Deeper persistent layers have become unlikely to trigger, although large and destructive avalanches are still possible in isolated terrain with the right input such as a cornice fall or a heavy load over a thin spot in steep terrain.

Problems

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.