Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 25th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
snow safety,
We may see a slight rise in hazard on Saturday afternoon due to solar inputs and the alpine temperature inversion. Keep this in mind if you are in confined terrain with slopes above you in the sun. Watch for wind slabs, and enjoy the sunshine!
Summary
Weather Forecast
The inversion will continue Friday night and into Saturday with warmer alpine temperatures of around -6 C, cooler treeline temperatures, and valley bottom temperatures as low as -18 C. Alpine winds will increase Saturday into the strong range out of the WNW which should keep things cool. Skies should remain clear.
Snowpack Summary
Extensive wind effect in the alpine and some treeline elevations. 20-40 cm of soft faceted recent storm snow in sheltered areas over the Feb 15 interface. The Jan 30th surface hoar/sun crust layer is down 35 to 60 cm and variable in distribution and reactivity, producing moderate sudden planar to no results in snowpack tests.
Avalanche Summary
A remote cornice failure triggered a size 3 avalanche in Kootenay National Park on Wednesday. On Thursday, the local ski areas reported a few small wind slab avalanches up to size 1 with explosives control. No new natural avalanches observed or reported on Friday.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs exist in the alpine and some tree line locations that may be possible to trigger in steep terrain. They are sitting on a variety of surfaces including old wind effect, surface hoar, sun crusts and facets.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 26th, 2022 4:00PM
