Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 15th, 2012 9:36AM

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

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Cloud should move into the region overnight and precipitation is expected to begin by about noon on Thursday. Western parts of the region may get 10 cm combined with moderate to strong southerly winds. The freezing level may rise up to 1300 metres during the day in the west of the region. The eastern parts of the region should see freezing levels rise to about 700 metres and drop back to near valley bottom overnight. Another ridge is forecast for Friday that should bring mostly clear skies and light winds during the day. The next Pacific frontal system is expected to move inland from the coast during the evening. Forecast amounts for the overnight period and during the day on Saturday are light, probably about 10 cm in total.

Avalanche Summary

Natural ice fall and a natural cornice fall to size 2.5 were reported from the region. The cornice fall released a slab, but there was not much propagation.

Snowpack Summary

The new snow layer above the February 09 surface hoar is now about 10-15 cm thick. Some areas have reported that the surface hoar had grown to 50 mm before being buried. Some thin windslabs have developed due to down flowing air on large glaciated features. A melt-freeze crust has developed on solar aspects at all elevations, and on all aspects below about 1400 metres. The mid-pack is generally well settled. There is some concern that large loads like cornices may trigger the Jan. 20th facet layer. Some shallow snowpack areas may continue to have a weak layer of basal facets near the ground.

Problems

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Cornices are large and may become weak and fall off naturally. Large loads like cornices may trigger slab avalanches on the slopes below.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Forecast strong southwest winds and new snow are expected to develop new windslabs. Various thin windslabs exist due to recent moderate northerly winds.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Feb 16th, 2012 9:00AM