Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 2nd, 2013 9:06AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Purcells.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Sunday: Cloudy with light Westerly winds overnight becoming strong Northwesterly in the afternoon. No precipitation overnight, 5-10 cms Sunday afternoon. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom overnight and up to about 1000 metres during the day.Monday: Alpine temperatures -7.0 with gusty West winds and light flurries.Tuesday: Winds shifting to Southwest as the next pulse of moisture brings 3-5 cms of snow to elevations above 1200 metres.

Avalanche Summary

Sluffing up to size 1.0 continues to be reported from steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs continue to be reactive in the alpine and at treeline. The recent storm snow has consolidated into a cohesive slab at treeline and below, above variable weak layers of surface hoar, facets, and sun crust. Expect wind slabs to continue to be reactive.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Old wind slabs continue to be reactive to light additional loads. Expect new wind slabs to develop with the next pulse of moisture.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

The recent storm snow continues to settle into a cohesive slab above weak layers and variable old surfaces. This slab may become more reactive during the forecast warm temperatures and solar radiation.

Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2013 2:00PM