Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 13th, 2021 4:01PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Cornices and Loose Dry.
Cory Boschman,
The facet-fest continues, and the snow pack continues to loose strength.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: High -15 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h.
Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -17 °C, High -9 °C. Ridge wind west: 10 km/h.
Snowpack Summary
The cold weather continues to promote facetting of the upper 40cm. The mid-pack is showing signs of losing strength with the prolonged arctic influence, especially where it is shallow. Widespread wind effect in the alpine and upper tree line.
Avalanche Summary
Road patrol on Feb 13 observed numerous Natural Loose Dry Avalanches up to size 1.5, starting steep terrain, but running the distance in terrain over 30 deg. One size 2 serac triggered wind slab, up to a meter deep, was also directly observed.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent windslab activity has been noted in high elevation windloaded features. It seems to require a large trigger such as cornice failures to initiate or potentially a shallow location where a skiers weight may be enough.
- Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cold temperatures are making cornices brittle and prone to failure. Keep a healthy distance away both when traveling below, or near corniced features.
- Avoid travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
- Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on ridges.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Surface snow continues to lose cohesion and structure making specific areas susceptible to light triggers like direct solar influence, and excitable riders. Sluff awareness and management will be very important in steep and/or confined lines.
- On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger slabs or larger sluffs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 14th, 2021 4:00PM
