Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Jan 31 – Feb 1, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Wind slabs may be found behind ridges, ribs and gully walls.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    A mixed bag of weak interfaces is buried about 20-30 cm down. With forecast warming temperatures, the likelihood of triggering a slab may increase.

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Friday: Moderate W wind. Alpine temperature near -2. Thin cloud with sunny breaks. No snow.Saturday: Light W wind. Alpine temperature rising to near 0. Sunny skies, with valley cloud. No snow.Sunday: Moderate SW wind. Alpine temperature near -9. Light snow.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose dry and soft slab avalanches to size 1.5 have been triggered naturally and by skiers over the last few days.

Snowpack Summary

Recent westerly winds have shifted snow into slabs on lee slopes. A weak interface buried on Jan 23 is down about 15-35 cm. The snow above this interface may be settling into a more reactive slab.The nature of this interface varies considerably from place to place. Buried large surface hoar was found in the North Elk Valley, but this seems to be a localized problem. In other areas, the interface consists of hard wind-affected surfaces, crusts and facets. The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.

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