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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 20th, 2022–Feb 21st, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Rockies.

Southwest winds have turned northeast and may load unexpected features. Watch for reactivity on all aspects around ridgelines. 

Check for changing conditions as you move through different aspects and elevations. 

Confidence

Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

Arctic air drops temperatures and clears skies this week. Expect mostly sunny days with a chance of occasional flurries.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with scattered flurries and light easterly winds. Freezing levels at valley bottom.

MONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, moderate northeast winds. Chance of isolated flurries. Freezing levels at valley bottom. Alpine high of -20. 

TUESDAY: Mostly sunny, easing northeast winds. Chance of isolated flurries. Freezing levels at valley bottom. Alpine high of -20. 

WEDNESDAY: Mostly clear skies with moderate northwest winds. Freezing level at valley bottom, high of -15. 

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, several small loose dry were reported as snowfall began to accumulate. We expect human triggered slab avalanche activity to have continued on Sunday, within the storm snow. 

Snowpack Summary

20-30cm of recent snowfall sits over a melt freeze crust on solar aspects at all elevations, and wind effected surfaces in exposed terrain. 

The snowpack below is well consolidated, with a crust/facet layer found near the bottom of the snowpack. It is currently considered dormant, but could become active later this season. Check out the forecaster blog for more information. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • The new snow could use a day or two to settle and stabilize before we start to tee up the bigger lines.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.