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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 20th, 2016–Feb 21st, 2016
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Little Yoho.

Below treeline elevations have gained strength due to cooler temperatures. At higher elevations, caution is still advised in bigger terrain where large avalanches are still possible to trigger.  SH

Weather Forecast

A benign weather pattern for the next few days.  Sunday will be slightly cooler with freezing levels to valley bottom and mainly light Westerly winds increasing later in the day. 

Snowpack Summary

The Jan 6 layer of surface hoar/facets is gaining strength in the region and is down 120cm at treeline , producing hard to no result in tests.  A layer down approx. 50cm (Feb 11) contains surface hoar in isolated locations at treeline producing moderate results.  Well settled snowpack overall.  Wind slabs formed in exposed alpine locations.

Avalanche Summary

2 wind slab avalanches were observed today on Mt. Field at 2300-2400m.  These were size 1.5 to 2 in un skiable terrain and occurred in the last  36 hours.  No other avalanches were observed today in this region.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

90-130 cm of snow overlies the Jan 6th layer of surface hoar, facets and sun crust.  This layer is gaining strength in the region but should be watched for at treeline and above. 

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Be mindful of cross loaded features and the lees of ridges where fresh windslabs 30-60 cm thick have recently formed. If triggered, there is potential to step down to the persistent weak layer.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2