Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 21st, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs have been reactive to human triggers in recent days. As you enter wind affected terrain, watch for wind slabs on all aspects especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Recent weather patterns have resulted in a high degree of snowpack variability within the region.
Weather Forecast
Monday night: Clear, moderate northeast wind, low of -23.
Tuesday: Increasing cloud in the afternoon, northeast wind shifting northwest and building to strong, high of -12.
Wednesday: Around 5 cm overnight then clearing, wind easing to moderate northwest, high of -7.
Thursday: Sunny, light northwest wind, high of -5.
Avalanche Summary
Natural wind slabs size 1-2 were observed on a northeast aspects in the alpine during the strong wind event on Saturday.
Several skier triggered wind slabs size 1-1.5 have been reported over the past few days, most in predictably wind loaded lees or convexities, near ridgetop, around treeline or higher. On Saturday near Kispiox, a size 1.5 was accidentally triggered on a previously skied slope and ran surprisingly far on the underlying crust.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of recent snow has seen variable wind effect at upper elevations, with exposed windward features scoured down to the crust in some areas in the Babines. Good snow quality can still be found in sheltered terrain.
The recent snow sits over a 10-20 cm thick rain crust which effectively caps the underlying snowpack, making human triggering of avalanches on weak layers deeper in the snowpack very unlikely. Large cornice failures may still have potential to trigger these deeper layers.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind direction has varied from southwest to northeast, now to northwest. The freshest wind slabs may be found on atypical aspects and features due to reverse-loading. Slabs heave been reactive and slide surprisingly far on the underlying crust. The most likely place to trigger a wind slab is near ridge crest and on unsupported or convex terrain features, where the slope rolls away from you.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 22nd, 2022 4:00PM
