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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 16th, 2013–Feb 17th, 2013

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Little Yoho.

Winds switched to SW this afternoon and some heavy precipitation was occurring west of the divide. Watch for new cornices and touchy wind slabs on steep lee slopes.

Weather Forecast

A weak storm will pass through on Saturday night followed by a short lived ridge building in for Sunday/Monday

Snowpack Summary

Winds have switched to southwesterly today creating a more usual loading pattern. Perhaps 10cm of new snow may fall overnight. New and old wind slabs persist on all open slopes at and above treeline. Cornices are building. Lower elevation slopes with less than 1m etre depth are weak and facetted.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed today. Recent natural activity has been limited to steep lee terrain and small cornice falls.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.