Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 9th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet.
cgarritty,
Avalanche Canada
Wet loose avalanches are becoming less likely, but let the snow surface tell it to you straight. If your steps plunge into slushy wet snow, steep slopes can still release. If a firm crust has set up, avalanche activity is unlikely. Watch for changes with daytime warming.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
Wednesday night: Clearing with cloud lingering below 1000m. Moderate northwest winds. Freezing levels remaining near 3300 metres.
Thursday: Sunny above mountaintop. Cloudy below 1500-1700 m with possible light rain. Moderate to strong northwest winds. Treeline high temperatures around +4 with freezing levels dropping from 3000 to 2300 metres, remaining elevated overnight.
Friday: Sunny. Light northeast winds. Treeline high temperatures around +7 with freezing levels to 2500 metres, remaining elevated overnight.
Saturday: Sunny. Light northeast winds. Treeline high temperatures around +9 with freezing levels to 3000 metres, remaining elevated overnight.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in the region over the past few days.
Looking forward to Thursday, some potential for wet loose activity may still exist with sustained high freezing levels, possible strong sunshine in the alpine and even light drizzle possible below the cloud cover.
Snowpack Summary
High freezing levels and small amounts of rain have moistened the surface on all aspects and elevations. The formation of surface crust may occur with clear overnight periods in open areas. Any crust that does form will deteriorate with daytime heating.
Beneath the surface, we have up to 20 cm of moist snow from Friday. This overlies a melt freeze crust that extends to the top of treeline.Â
Below this crust 20 to 60 cm of dry snow sits above another thick and supportive crust that extends to mountain top. At upper treeline and alpine, facets and surface hoar may be found above this crust.
The middle and base of the snowpack are well settled and strong.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Loose Wet
Potential for wet loose avalanches in steep terrain may re-emerge with daytime warming on Thursday, particularly on sun-exposed slopes and with human triggers. Monitor the formation and breakdown of surface crusts to track the likelihood of this problem over the day.
Aspects: South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 10th, 2022 4:00PM
