Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 2nd, 2017–Feb 3rd, 2017

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: South Rockies.

The best and safest riding may be in sheltered terrain around tree line

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

Friday: Cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -9Saturday: Flurries, accumulation 5-10cm / Light southwest wind / Alpine temperature -13Sunday: Periods of snow, accumulation 10-15cm / Light to moderate west wind / Alpine temperature -7More details can be found on the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. The main concern continues to be the possibility of triggering the weak faceted layers deeper in the snowpack.

Snowpack Summary

The story in the upper snowpack right now is all about wind-affected surfaces at higher elevations. Below 1500 metres you may find an isolated thin breakable rain crust about 1 cm thick. The snowpack is quite variable throughout the region. In deeper snowpack areas, the snowpack appears to be well settled with isolated concerns about the mid-December facet layer buried 50-100 cm deep. In shallow snowpack areas and lower elevations, the snowpack is weak and faceted. For instance, in the Elk Valley north area near Crown Mountain last week the height of snow was 90 cm with foot penetration of 80 cm; or almost to ground. In these areas, the wind has formed isolated hard slabs above weak facets and created the potential for large persistent slab avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may still be reactive to the weight of a person.

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.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Triggering deeper weak layers remains possible where hard slabs sit above weak sugary snow. This is most likely in thin snowpack parts of the region.

Danger exists where denser snow overlies weak, sugary snow below.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3