Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 6th, 2016 7:42AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

Very strong winds may have left wind slabs in unexpected places. Sweep your gaze further down start zones than normal.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

A building ridge is expected to bring mainly sunny skies with no precipitation for the next three days. A warm southerly flow causes the freezing level to rise as high as 3000 m.For more details check out http://www.avalanche.ca/weather.

Avalanche Summary

The recent storm snow became more reactive on Friday, with numerous small natural and skier triggered avalanches. In the north of the region, a skier triggered a size 2 wind slab on a north aspect. Although there haven't been any persistent slab avalanches reported recently, it could still be possible to trigger large destructive avalanches in isolated open, unsupported terrain features at and below treeline.

Snowpack Summary

15-40 cm of storm snow is settling to form a soft slab in sheltered areas. Strong southwesterly winds have formed fresh wind slabs in lee features at treeline and in the alpine. Below about 1900 m, a crust may be found about 50 cm below the surface, although this layer seems to be most prevalent in the Monashees. In the far south of the region, a layer of surface buried at the end of January may be found at around this depth in isolated features at treeline and in the alpine. Deeper in the snow pack, the surface hoar layer from early January is now down 80-120 cm in most places. Although this layer has become harder to trigger and is variably reactive in recent snowpack tests, it still has the potential to produce large avalanches. Forecast warming may increase the sensitivity of the persistent slab.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong winds have moved recent storm snow onto lee slopes, creating touchy wind slabs. In areas not affected by wind, storm slabs may be found.

Avoid steep, open slopes.>Travel on ridges to avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

While becoming unlikely to be triggered, this layer can still produce large, destructive avalanches. It seems to be most prevalent at and below treeline.

Be cautious around steep open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved. >Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Feb 7th, 2016 2:00PM