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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 22nd, 2022–Feb 23rd, 2022
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

Stronger than forecasted N'ly winds have continued to build wind slab in the Alpine and Treeline on solar slopes. Be aware of  reverse-loading on slopes.

Prep for the cold; keep those digits warm, carry a thermos, and take an extra layer or two!

Weather Forecast

Continuing cold, with a gradual warming to seasonal temps by the weekend

Tonight: Clear, -20*C, light E winds

Wed: Cloudy with sun and isolated flurries, Alp high -18*C, light W winds

Thurs: Mix of sun/cloud, Alp high -13*C, light/mod NW winds

Fri: Cloud with sunny periods, Alp high -11*C, light W winds

Snowpack Summary

New snow over the weekend is being redistributed by strong N'ly winds throughout the park. Wind effected snow in the Alpine and down into Treeline on many open, exposed aspects. The Feb 15 surface hoar/solar crust is down 50-80cm and most problematic at and below Treeline. Cold temps are promoting surface faceting, softening the surface slabs.

Avalanche Summary

Human triggering of avalanches to sz 2 at Treeline and below in steep, unsupported terrain on Avalanche Crest, Vaux Moraine, and cracking around skis along the top of Griz Shoulder.

A natural avalanche cycle to sz 2.5 occurred Mon from the N'ly winds, with observations in Frequent Flyer, the Ravens, Cougar Corner paths, and Griz Couloir.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

~60cm of snow and variable mod/strong winds have formed slabs, burying the Feb 15 persistent weak layer (surface hoar, 2-8mm, or a crust on steep solar aspects). The SH is more prevalent at Treeline and below, whereas the crust exists into the Alpine

  • Persistent slabs may be more sensitive to human triggering on solar asp where it sits on sun crust
  • Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls at treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Wind Slabs

Mod/strong SW winds during the weekend storm have flipped to mod/strong N'ly winds, thus distributing wind slabs on all aspects. Use caution at ridge crests, lee features, and open exposed, cross-loaded slopes at Treeline and above.

  • Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow.
  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5