Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Feb 4 – 5, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Forecast light snowfall and strong southwest winds will create fresh wind slabs. Watch for triggering behind ridgecrests and in gullies.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    A mixed bag of weak interfaces is buried about 15-30 cm down. The nature of these weaknesses varies greatly from valley to valley.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Light snowfall / Strong to extreme southwest winds / Alpine temperature of about -7.0Wednesday: Light snowfall / Extreme west winds / Alpine temperature of about -9.0 Thursday: Variable cloud in the morning with clearing in the afternoon / Light southwest winds / Alpine temperature of about -8.0

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface is a combination of wind slab at higher elevations, settled storm snow and spotty surface hoar in more sheltered terrain, and a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. A variable interface buried on Jan 23 is down about 15-35cm. In most locations it appears to be well bonded; however, buried surface hoar (up to 20mm) has been found in some locations. This will be something to watch as the overlying slab develops. The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.

Regions covered