Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 7th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers, especially in steep convex terrain features and at ridgetops. Despite the cold, the sun can pack a punch at this time of year so keep an eye on steep solar aspects in the afternoon and give cornices a wide berth.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Sunday night: Clearing, light northerly ridgetop wind, alpine temperature -13.
Monday: Sunny, light westerly ridgetop wind, alpine high -14.
Tuesday: Sunny, light northerly ridgetop wind, alpine high -18.
Wednesday: Sunny, light to moderate northerly ridgetop wind, alpine high -18.
Avalanche Summary
Recent skier triggered wind slabs have been limited to size 1. Explosive control work conducted prior to the weekend produced size 2 cornice and storm slab avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs on a variety of aspects are likely beginning to facet and lose cohesion in the cold temperatures. 50-100 cm of snow sits on a persistent weak layer that consists of facets at upper elevations, surface hoar in sheltered areas, a melt-freeze crust below 1900 m, and a sun crust on south-facing slopes. There could be more than 100 cm on this layer in wind loaded areas.
A crust from early December may be found around 200+ cm deep in the snowpack. Under the current conditions, it has been unreactive.
Terrain and Travel
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
- Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may exist in atypical terrain features due to recently varying wind direction. Although they tend to facet and lose cohesion in cold temperatures, wind slabs may remain sensitive to human triggers in steep convexities and near ridgetops.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 8th, 2021 4:00PM
