Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 9th, 2020 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Dry and Wind Slabs.
Kate Ryan,
Parks Canada
Moderate winds have switched from northerly to south in some areas of the park.
Be cognizant of fresh windslabs and the effects of reverse loading.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Stagnant pattern continues today as an upper ridge anchors itself offshore
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries today with moderate W winds. Daytime high -10C at treeline.
Cloudy with clear periods tonight. Treeline temps -12C, gusty NW winds to 45km/h.
Monday will be a mix of sun, cloud, and flurries with light S winds. Treeline temps -9C.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate winds switching from north to south overnight have redistributed this week's 35+cm of low density snowfall. A thin suncrust exists down 10cm on steep solar aspects. Below 1800m, a melt-freeze up to 10cm thick is covered by 20-30cm.
Avalanche Summary
Yesterday, numerous loose dry avalanches to size 1.5 were observed from steep features on all aspects. One large (size 2.0) slab avalanche from Cheops 2 was also observed.
On Thursday, a cornice fall triggered a large slab avalanche (size 2.5) on the north face of Cheops.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Dry
This week's low density snow has not yet consolidated, and could run fast and far on slopes where it overlies previous firm surfaces.
- On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Moderate to strong winds overnight will have formed new wind slabs in immediate lees, and cross-loaded terrain features in the alpine and in open treeline areas.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 10th, 2020 8:00AM
