Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2014 9:30AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

I've bumped up the hazard slightly in response to increased winds in the southern portion of the region. Be advised that wind slabs may have more "bite" on Tuesday than you've seen recently.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A very strong ridge of high pressure continues to dominate the weather pattern. The optimist sees a storm in the models next weekend. The realist says its still too early to count on.Tuesday: Sky: Overcast; Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precip: Nil Wind: Light, NEWednesday: Sky: Clearing; Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precip: Nil Wind: Light, NE, Mod NE at ridgetop.Thursday: Sky: Clear; Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precip: Nil Wind: Light, N

Avalanche Summary

Explosive control work on a steep north facing slope in the alpine produced a size 2.5 avalanche in the central portion of the region Saturday. On Sunday activity was limited to skier induced sluffing.

Snowpack Summary

The south of the region saw slightly more more precipitation in the last system. Near Kimberley up to 20cm of snow now sits on a variety of old surfaces, this amount is closer to 10cm further north in the Dogtooth range. The old surface can be found as large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas and at all elevations), a sun crust (on open south facing slopes), facets (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of any of the above. North winds are redistributing the new snow reverse loading lee features in the alpine and forming reactive pockets of windslab up to 40cm deep.The upper and mid-snowpack are generally supportive to a riders weight and well settled.In isolated areas where the snowpack is thinner or in steep rocky features a facet/crust weakness near the ground remains a concern. In most places the depth of this layer combined with the strength of the overlying slab makes triggering an avalanche unlikely. However, if you were unlucky enough to find a weak spot the consequence could be a large, destructive avalanche.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent low density accumulations rest on a hard surface which is covered with slippery surface hoar on many slopes.  This combination will keep both active sluffing and thin wind slab problems alive longer than we're normally accustomed to.
Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>Carefully consider the impact a thin wind slab will have on your proposed line, especially in high consequence terrain. Have a backup line in mind in case you need to seek more sheltered riding. >On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.>Watch for terrain traps where small amounts of snow will acumulate into deep deposits.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 4th, 2014 2:00PM