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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 12th, 2012–Feb 13th, 2012

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Confidence

Good - -1

Weather Forecast

The strong ridge of high pressure is expected to chew up a weak system that attempts to enter the region Sunday. On Monday, we'll see some mid & high level cloud as said system limps across the province. Winds are expected to be light out of the NW for most of the day. Skies clear overnight Monday. Tuesday starts off cool and cloudy & we may even see the occasional flurry as a weak trough passes over the region. High pressure steps back in around lunch time and should remain in place through Wednesday.Monday:Alpine Wind: NW10Alpine Temp: -7Precip: 2-4 cm in the evening.Freezing Level: sfcTuesday:Alpine Wind: W25Alpine Temp: -3Precip: NilFreezing Level: 1000

Avalanche Summary

Deep persistent slab avalanches remain possible with heavy triggers in shallow rocky snowpack areas on unsupported slopes. Check out the Avalanche Image Gallery under the Library tab for some photos of recent deep persistent slab avalanches in the region.

Snowpack Summary

A thin eggshell/zipper crust formed on the eve of the 9th capping 4 cm of moist snow that rests on top of robust surface hoar created during the recent dry spell. This surface hoar is approx. 30 mm at ridge top and as large as 50mm in valley bottoms. 30cm of near-surface facets can be found on shady slopes while a suncrust has formed on sun exposed slopes. You may still find the odd pocket of wind slab at treeline and above. Concerns remain for the mid-December persistent weakness down around 80-100cm.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.