Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 9th, 2017 4:54PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is high. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Natural and human triggered avalanches remain very likely on Friday. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Thursday night: 20-30 cm new snow / Strong to extreme, southwesterly winds/ Freezing level dropping to around 1000m.Friday: 5-10 cm new snow / Strong, southwesterly winds / Freezing level around 1000 m.Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate, southwesterly winds/ Freezing level around 800 m.Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate, southwesterly winds / Freezing level rising to around 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

Thursday's storm has created touchy storm slabs that will remain likely to human trigger on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

40-80 cm of recent storm snow has buried a wide variety of old snow surfaces including stiff wind slab or wind effected snow at upper elevations, sun crust on steep southerly slopes, surface hoar(up to 10 mm) in sheltered locations. In sheltered ares where the recent storm snow is overlying surface hoar(weak, feathery crystals), you may see increased reactivity on this layer as the storm snow begins to settle into a more cohesive slab. The mid-January interface (facets) is buried approximately 100-180 cm down. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled (strong). However, there remain a number of facet and crust layers that are currently dormant but will require monitoring with additional loading.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
The warming trend throughout the storm has created a dangerous condition where warmer heavy snow is sitting on-top colder snow, making storm slab avalanches much more likely.
Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 10th, 2017 2:00PM