Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 20th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Cory Boschman,
It's been a while, but a storm is coming!
Watch for signs of instability, and avoid overhead exposure during periods of rapid loading and rising temperatures.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Periods of snow. Accumulation: 17 cm. Alpine temperature: High -6 C. Ridge wind southwest: 35 km/h gusting to 90 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Monday: Flurries. Accumulation: 7 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -14 C, High -5 C. Ridge wind west: 25 km/h gusting to 80 km/h. Freezing level: 1400 metres.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate to strong ridge top winds from the SW have created wind slabs or hard surface conditions in alpine and tree line features. In sheltered areas the top 30-60cm is faceted snow over a supportive mid-pack where the snowpack is deeper. Thin snowpack areas are weak, un-supportive, and facetted.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed in the past couple days.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Sunday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong to extreme SW winds with new snow are likely to build wind slabs in the alpine and tree line areas.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Caution in thin snowpack areas where triggering is more likely. This is a low probability but high consequence problem.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 21st, 2021 4:00PM
