Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 12th, 2021 4:55PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
Conrad Janzen,
Increased wind on Saturday will keep the alpine hazard slightly elevated. Overall the avalanche hazard is decreasing but we still get occasional reports of larger slabs so there is a bit more uncertainty around the hazard level right now.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Temperatures will rise slightly again on Saturday with highs at treeline of between -12 to -16 C. Skies will remain clear and sunny. Alpine winds will increase to the Moderate to Strong range out of the NE on Saturday afternoon which will still make it feel very cold in exposed areas so watch for frostbite!
Snowpack Summary
Previous winds from all directions have created wind slabs in lee areas of the alpine, and wind effect in many open alpine and treeline areas. In sheltered areas the surface snow is facetting quickly and beginning to sluff more easily in steep terrain. A buried thin sun crust and facet layer from Jan 27th is present on steep south aspects.
Avalanche Summary
Following an increase in winds Thursday night several natural small thin wind slabs, and small loose dry avalanches, were observed on Friday. Several cornice failures have been observed in the alpine over the past week occasionally triggering slabs on steep slopes below them.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs formed from variable alpine winds are still a concern, but are becoming more difficult to trigger with the cold temperatures. Watch for slabs over weaker facets or crusts. Several cornice failures have also been observed recently.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
As the surface snow facets and weakens, it is starting to sluff more easily in steep terrain. Higher wind speeds will also contribute to more natural sluffing. This is mostly a problem in narrow confined terrain like gullies or couloirs.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.
- On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 13th, 2021 4:00PM
