Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 13th, 2020 8:00AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Parks Canada percy woods, Parks Canada

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Stubborn storm slabs need to be kept in mind touring today.  Expect sun crust on steeper solar aspects.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Flurries with up to 6cm accumulation today an alpine temp of -7C and wind SW light gusting to strong. The freezing level should edge up to 900m. Another 10cm are on the way tonight with a trace of precipitation forecast for Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Mild temps with light snowfall have created a soft, cohesive 10-20cm storm slab that overlies variable old surfaces. Recent mod/strong SW winds redistributed low density snow at ridge-top and exposed tree-line elevations; variable soft slab should be expected in these areas. Solar input yesterday will have formed sun crust on steep S aspects.

Avalanche Summary

Several sz 1-2 avalanches were observed in the highway corridor both east and west of Rogers Pass summit. These slides were all believed to run on February 11th, 2020. On Tuesday field team in the Hermit basin, as well as Fidelity, were able to ski cut the upper 10-15cm soft slabs on unsupported rolls at tree-line.

Confidence

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Snowfall earlier this week was accompanied by milder temps, creating a 10-20cm soft slab that seemed reactive on steep, unsupported rolls at all elevations. This new storm slab may hide previous wind slabs in alpine lee and cross-loaded features.

  • Steep unsupported terrain and slope convexities are the likely locations to awaken the storm slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 14th, 2020 8:00AM