Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 7th, 2020 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.
jonas hoke,
Parks Canada
Human triggered avalanches are possible today, heads up as you transition into open terrain at Treeline.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries today, light winds from the West. Daytime high will be -8 C at treeline.
Light snow tonight into tomorrow morning, with accumulations of up to 10cm. Ridge winds will be light, gusting moderate, from the South. Treeline temperatures remain around -8 C overnight, and will cool into Saturday evening.
Snowpack Summary
Continued moderate-strong winds have been producing soft slabs on immediate lees, and cross-loaded features in the alpine and exposed areas of TL. We have received 30+cm of low-density new snow at treeline and above since the atmospheric river event last weekend. Expect dust on crust and rugged travel on all but smooth slopes at lower elevations.
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday a cornice fall triggered a large slab avalanche (size 2.5) on the North face of Cheops; explosive testing at treeline produced small-large (size 1-2) slab avalanches in the Fidelity snow study area; and neighboring operations reported skier triggering of small-large windslabs in exposed treeline and alpine terrain.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
New low-density snow and moderate to strong wind has formed slabs on immediate lees, and cross-loaded terrain features.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Use safe ski cutting techniques to enter your line.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices have grown significantly thanks to our Atmospheric River last weekend. These are still susceptible to fail naturally, and have the potential to trigger large avalanches.
- Minimize exposure to corniced features.
- Stay well back from the leeward side of corniced ridgecrests.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 8th, 2020 8:00AM
