Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 13th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
Snow Safety,
New wind slabs have been observed over the last 24 hours as well as cornice failures. We have added a persistent layer mainly for the Kootenay region as we keep getting isolated reports including Saturday.
Summary
Weather Forecast
After another -25 to -30C morning, temperatures will rise again on Sunday with highs at treeline of between -12 to -16 C. Skies will remain mainly clear. Alpine winds will decrease to light and will switch to a more Westerly flow. We will see a gradual increase in temperature over the next week.
Snowpack Summary
Winds have created small slabs in lee areas of the alpine, and wind effect in open alpine and treeline areas. The surface snow is facetting quickly and beginning to sluff more easily in steep terrain. A facet layer from Jan 27th is present at treeline and in the alpine down 30-40cm. On steep south this layer may consist of a thin sun crust as well.
Avalanche Summary
Increased winds saw some loose dry activity in steep alpine terrain. Cornice failures have been observed over the past few days including one on Fatigue Mountain today that triggered a size 3 on the ground reminding us that there is still a deep layer. Forecasters ski cut a size 2 in the Simpson area at 2100 m on the persistent layer that ran 450m.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
Problems
Wind Slabs
New wind slabs have been reported from increased winds over the last 24 hours that are generally small in size but would be of concern in steep, alpine terrain. Winds have also formed cornices that have been seen to fail and trigger wind slabs below.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
We are adding this after a week of isolated observations. It exists mainly in the Kootenay region but there is some uncertainty around this. It is failing on average 40cm deep on the Jan. 27 layer of facets, or facets/thin suncrust on steep South.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
As the surface snow facets and weakens, it is starting to sluff more easily in steep terrain. This is mostly a problem in narrow confined terrain like gullies or couloirs.
- On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 14th, 2021 4:00PM
