Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Feb 12 – 13, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

The highest danger exists in western parts of the region that have seen more snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    New snow and shifting winds have built wind slabs that are likely found behind terrain breaks such as ridges and ribs. Watch for katabatic winds descending from glaciers.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–6
    Buried beneath the new snow sits a surface hoar/crust/facet weakness. This may be sensitive to rider triggers in steeper sheltered terrain or over convex rolls, especially at treeline and below treeline elevations.

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A short-lived ridge builds for Wednesday before a series of light precipitation bands move Thursday and Friday.Wednesday: Dry and sunny. Northwest winds around 30 km/h at ridgetop. Freezing level at valley bottom.Thursday: Flurries or light snowfall. Light southwest winds. Freezing level 400m in the afternoon.Friday: Lightsnowfall, 2-5cm. Strong to extreme southwest winds, gusting up to 80km/h at ridgetop.

Avalanche Summary

No recent reports, but we have few observations.

Snowpack Summary

Recent light snow has likely set up new wind slabs in exposed lee areas. Previous buried surfaces lie buried approximately 20-40cm below the surface. These vary from facets to crusts and isolated pockets of surface hoar (sheltered treeline and below treeline). There is very limited information about the nature of the interface, with the only results suggesting reactivity in sheltered, shady treeline and below treeline slopes (preserved surface hoar). I would stress the importance of digging down to find and test weak layers.A strong mid-pack currently overlies a weak base layer of facets/depth hoar. It is worth noting that the snowpack in general is quite shallow compared to averages; triggering the basal weakness may still be possible from thin spots, rocky outcrops or under the weight of larger triggers such as cornice fall.

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