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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 14th, 2020–Feb 15th, 2020

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

Little Yoho.

The majority of this area has a well settled snowpack. We have limited observations in the alpine and whether basal facet layers are present.  Excellent ski conditions and coverage overall.

Weather Forecast

Westerly winds will stay in the moderate to strong range on Saturday. Highs of -5C at valley bottom and -12C in the alpine. 3-5cm expected Saturday and 3-5 on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30cm of snow over the last few days sits over top of a well settled mid-pack. In much of this deeper snowpack region, the lower snow-pack is well settled and displays no significant shears. Shallower snowpack areas will likely have more pronounced basal facets. Isolated wind slabs exist near ridge tops and in lee terrain at alpine elevations.

Avalanche Summary

No natural activity observed. The ski-hills reported small wind-slabs and moderate cornice development (described as fridge sized).

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

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.