Avalanche forecast

South Columbia

Feb 9 – 10, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Warm temperatures and sun-exposure are maintaining an elevated avalanche danger. Keep it conservative until things cool off and the snowpack settles.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Very strong winds have created wind slabs and fragile cornices on a variety of slopes. These may be extra sensitive with warm temperatures and sunshine.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    3–5
    A deeply buried weak layer can still be triggered in some places, creating very large avalanches. Warm temperatures may increase the sensitivity of this problem.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Strong sunshine and warm temperatures are expected to weaken surface snow layers and cause loose wet avalanches or wet slabs.

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Mainly sunny with valley cloud  and light southwesterly winds. A temperature inversion is expected to maintain well above freezing temperatures at treeline and alpine elevations. THURSDAY: Mainly clear and dry with freezing levels dropping below 2000m and light variable winds. FRIDAY: 3-5cm of snow possible with freezing levels dropping to valley bottoms and light southwesterly winds.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Monday include numerous natural and skier controlled loose wet sluffs reaching Size 2, which were generally slow moving and limited to steep sun-exposed slopes in the afternoon. A few natural 10-20cm thick wet slabs and cornice collapses were also reported.

Snowpack Summary

The surface snow is becoming moist and cohesionless, and cornices are getting weak throughout the day with warm temperatures and direct sun-exposure. Recent snow pack tests have been producing easy to moderate results on various storm snow weaknesses in the top 40cm. Avalanche professionals are still monitoring the persistent weakness buried early January, which is now down 80-120 cm. In most places it is no longer sensitive to light triggers. However, in specific locations it still produces hard, sudden results in snowpack tests, and forecast warming could wake it up again.

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