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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 6th, 2015–Feb 7th, 2015
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Little Yoho.

Play it conservative out there and avoid all ice climbing routes with any avalanche terrain. The high freezing levels and poor visibility suggests wait for the storm to cease, temperature to cool so that the new snow has time to settle and bond. PJ

Weather Forecast

A warm Pacific Air mass feeding moisture from the south Pacific will clash with cold air from the Northwesterly flow of the Jet Stream until Saturday.  Winds will persist strong from the SW until Saturday evening and temperatures will cool down by the end of the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

45-70cm of recent storm snow sits on a crust from Jan 30 which exists up to 2300m on all aspects (higher on solar aspects).This crust interface will be a layer of failure with the new load of up to 30 cms in the last 24 hours. This large stress to the snowpack may cause the Nov 6th facets problem to re-emerge in shallow snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

One natural size 2.5 avalanche nearly struck snow-shoers today in Lake O'Hara in the Schaeffer Bowl area. Several large avalanches up to size 3 were observed in Kootenay Park. Ski areas in the Rockies were reporting numerous natural and explosive controlled Storm Slabs up to size 2.5 today some failing on the November 6th facets.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Another 20+ cm and strong alpine winds are expected over the next 12 hours. Expect rampant storm slabs to be forming and failing either within the storm snow or on the Jan 30 interface, especially at upper elevations.

  • Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.
  • Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

45-70 cm's of new storm sits on a crust from january 30th. This interface should be considered suspect and large avalanches could have the potential to step down the basal facets for full depth releases in Alpine and TL start zones.

  • The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.
  • Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 4