Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 13th, 2016 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
snow safety,
Avalanche Canada
Recent avalanche events are proving that it's still touchy out there (see avalanche discussion). Continue to keep your terrain choices conservative as there is a high likelihood of triggering an avalanche. SH
Summary
Weather Forecast
A few cm expected Sunday with freezing levels staying at valley bottom with light gusting strong W winds throughout the day. Winds will increase overnight into Monday as another small pulse (5-10cm) rolls through.
Snowpack Summary
A surface windslab 10-30 cm thick exists in lee alpine features and will be reactive in the short term. A 50-100 cm slab overlies the January 6th weak layer of surface hoar (below 2000m), facets and sun crust. This layer is quite well preserved in many locations. The lower part of the snowpack is generally well settled.
Avalanche Summary
A number of avalanche incidents with very close calls this week. The most recent was a group of 7 which triggered a size 2 Friday evening, left of the regular final approach slope to Bow Hut. It initiated at 2400m on a NE aspect, was 40-80cm deep (Jan 6th layer), and ran 350m. This fully buried 1 person, and almost fully buried another.
Confidence
Problems
Persistent Slabs
The Jan. 6 surface hoar/facets down an average 75cm is still of concern in this area. Recent natural activity such as a size 3 in Emerald Lake slide path Thursday prove this. Natural activity has slowed in the last 24 hours due to cooler temps.
- Avoid paths that have not avalanched recently.
- Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Be mindful of cross loaded features and the lees of ridges where windslabs 10-30 cm thick continue to be reactive. 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.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 14th, 2016 4:00PM
