Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 9th, 2016 7:13AM

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

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

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

Summary

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.

Problems

Loose Wet

Strong sunshine and warm temperatures are expected to weaken surface snow layers and cause loose wet avalanches or wet slabs.

Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >Be aware of what is above you at all times.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

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.

Avoid steep slopes below cornices.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid wind loaded slopes.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

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.

Be cautious of open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Feb 10th, 2016 2:00PM