Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 19th, 2020 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
andrew jones,
Parks Canada
Isolated wind slabs and the potential for solar-triggered avalanches require good spatial awareness today.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Sunny with cloudy periods and no precipitation today. Alpine temperature will reach -7 C with freezing level rising to 1200m. Expect light ridge wind.
A cold front arrives on Saturday bringing the next bout of precipitation. We are expecting 15cm of new snow for the weekend and gusty SW winds.
Snowpack Summary
There is 20-30cm of low density snow over a well settled mid-pack. Variable stubborn wind slab may be found in alpine elevations along ridge-tops and exposed tree-line features. Steep S to SW aspects have a suncrust buried anywhere between 30-60cm below the surface.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed or reported yesterday.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow accompanied by recent moderate westerly winds has created wind slabs in isolated locations. Slabs were observed this week at ridge-top areas and on exposed, cross-loaded slopes.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
- Watch for signs of instability such as whumphing and cracking.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
If the sun stays out today, loose dry avalanches may be initiated on steep SE-W aspects and around rocky features.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 20th, 2020 8:00AM
