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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 4th, 2016–Feb 5th, 2016

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

We are in a holding pattern until more snow and wind arrive Saturday. This means natural avalanches aren't occurring on a regular basis, but we still lack confidence in the current snowpack to step out into bigger terrain. SH

Weather Forecast

Increasing West winds and a few cm Friday.  Alpine temperatures will rise slightly, but will stay in the -6 to -9 range.  Up to 10cm is currently forecast for Saturday accompanied by moderate to strong alpine West winds. 

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs in alpine and treeline areas. 40-70cm of snow sits over the Jan 6 surface hoar/facet layer and remains reactive to skier triggering. Test results Wednesday on the Jan 6 layer were in the hard range. Isolated whumphing on Mt. Field recently, likely on the Jan 6 layer.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported over the last 24 hours.  Lots of evidence of the previous widespread natural avalanche cycle up to size 3 on all aspects with some large propagations around Mt. Field.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

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.

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.