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 Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Persistent Slabs.
Tereza Turecka,
Elevated freezing levels expected into Thursday with minimal refreeze overnight.This may trigger deeper instabilities.
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Summary
Weather Forecast
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High -2 °C.
Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 50 km/h.
Freezing level: 1900 metres.
Friday
Sunny
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -5 °C.
Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 55 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Snowpack Summary
Moist surface snow with rising freezing levels and warm temperatures persisting into Thursday. Strong SW winds have stripped exposed alpine to rock. We expect wind slabs in crossloaded features and into tree line. Several December faces layers can be found in the midpack. Facets and depth hoar are formed near the ground.
Avalanche Summary
Road Patrol did not observe any natural activity today. On Tuesday one large wind slab avalanche was noted on Fluted Peak on a south facing feature.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for wind slabs in cross-loaded features and further down the slopes than usual due to wind intensity. Our team is more concerned about this problem in the tree line elevation band.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger slabs.
- Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
With rising freezing levels watch for wet loose avalanches. Minimal overnight freeze expected on Wednesday night, do not count on recovery of the surface snow on Thursday.
- If triggered, loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Use extra caution on solar slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Warm temperatures may increase reactivity of this layer. Persistent slabs sit over different weak layers depending on elevation & aspect. Investigate these layers before committing as there is a lot of variability dependent on aspect and elevation.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 10th, 2022 4:00PM
