Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 31st, 2013 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeWarming and solar effect on Saturday may cause local instabilities and increased danger on southerly aspects.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Weak precipitation and warm teme\peratures with a westerly flow. Clearing for Saturday may create solar issues with the warm temperatures.
Snowpack Summary
Two main layers in the upper pack are Jan 23 and Jan 4 surface hoar/ facets or suncrust down 25 & 55. Major problem is wind slabs in all open areas easily triggerable in steep terrain.
Avalanche Summary
Very little activity. Some wind slabs in steep terrain to size 2. One older size 2 slab (48 hrs + ) in Kootenay may have failed on surface hoar down 50.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Isolated wind slabs in steep terrain features may be human triggered or run naturally with slight additional loading.
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
In Kootenay and Yoho there is a buried surface hoar and/or crust layer down about 50 cm. This layer may be triggerable on steep terrain features.
- Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Hard slabs from previous high winds have been buried by recent storm snow. These slabs have been unreactive to skier triggering, but new wind loading may awaken them.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 1st, 2013 4:00PM