Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 22nd, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
Chris Gooliaff,
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!
Summary
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
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 23rd, 2022 4:00PM
