Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 7th, 2021 4:23PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
Grant Statham,
Extreme cold temperatures generally act to stabilize the snowpack in the short-term. Over the past 48-hrs we have had three reports of small (< size 2) avalanches on S aspects below treeline. Watch out for this, given people are seeking out the sun.
Summary
Weather Forecast
The omega block has settled in and Environment Canada has issued an Extreme Cold Warning for the region, with temperatures reaching -30 on Sunday night and close to -40 on Monday night. This is seriously cold weather, so be prepared with plenty of warm clothing, travel in the sun and keep your trips short. Don't have an accident in this cold!
Snowpack Summary
Previous winds have redistributed the recent 30-60cm of low density storm snow into wind slab in the alpine and exposed areas at tree line. In sheltered areas the recent storm snow remains loose powder. Buried sun crust and facets on steep south aspects. Treeline snow depths range from 150-220cm.
Avalanche Summary
Size 2 windslab reported at treeline on Mt Field today. Also, over the past three days there have been three avalanches up to size 2 reported on south aspects below treeline. Information on these is available on the Mountain Information Network.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs recently formed from variable winds are still a concern, but there have been limited alpine observations over the last 48 hours. We expect the deep freeze to help stabilize this problem over the week.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
This problem is stabilizing due to the deep freeze, but with the amounts of loose snow around it is still possible to have a sluff gain mass in a steep gully, or on a steep face of soft powder.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 8th, 2021 4:00PM
