Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 14th, 2020 5:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
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Avalanche Canada
Keep your guard up as you approach avalanche terrain, recent snow could be forming reactive slabs at higher elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Recent weather patterns have resulted in a high degree of snowpack variability within the region.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light flurries and up to 5 cm of new snow by the morning, moderate wind from the west, alpine temperatures drop to -8 C.
SATURDAY: Scattered flurries with 10 cm of new snow, moderate wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.
SUNDAY: Cloudy with 5-10 cm of new snow overnight then clearing in the afternoon, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.
MONDAY: Scattered flurries with another 5-10 cm of new snow, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.
Avalanche Summary
Preliminary reports from Friday suggest size 1-2 wind slab and storm slab avalanches occurred naturally in alpine terrain. Smaller (size 1) human triggered slabs were also reported on steep terrain features. Similar avalanche activity was reported on Thursday (see this MIN report for an example of a small human triggered slab). With more snow in the forecast expect wind slabs to continue to be reactive at upper elevations and watch for slab development in steep terrain at all elevations.
Snowpack Summary
Another 15 cm of snow on Saturday will add to 15-30 cm of fresh snow from Thursday. In some areas this snow sits above sun crusts or small surface hoar, but will be most reactive on steep wind affected slopes. At treeline and below treeline 30-60 cm of recent snow is settling above a widespread rain crust that formed in early February.
The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong. Although isolated, there are two deeper weak layers that may persist in some areas. A weak layer of surface hoar buried 90 to 170 cm deep may be found across the north of the region while a facet/crust layer from November may be found near the ground in shallower snowpack areas.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Start on smaller terrain features and gather information before committing to bigger terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Accumulations of new snow over the past week have formed reactive slabs in steep wind affected terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 15th, 2020 5:00PM
