Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 20th, 2021 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Cory Boschman,

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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

An icon showing 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

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing 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

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Feb 21st, 2021 4:00PM