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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 21st, 2017–Feb 22nd, 2017
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Watch for lingering wind slabs in high north facing terrain and loose sluffing on steep sun exposed slopes.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Lingering flurries are possible Wednesday morning and sunny conditions are expected Wednesday afternoon. Alpine wind is expected to be light from the west and treeline temperatures are forecast to be around -10C. Similar conditions are expected for Thursday and Friday with mostly sunny skies, light alpine wind, and treeline temperatures remaining around -10C.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, natural sluffing was observed from steep sun exposed slopes. Skiers and explosives triggered a few storm slabs and wind slabs size 1-1.5. These slabs were typically 20-40 cm thick and one wind slab was up to 60 cm thick. On Sunday, avalanche activity was limited to ski cutting producing a few size 1 soft slabs which were 10-15 cm thick and isolated to the most recent storm snow. On Wednesday, lingering wind slabs are the main concern. Look for these in immediately leeward features on northerly aspects in exposed terrain. Sluffing from steep sun exposed slopes is also possible during the heat of the afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

At higher elevations, the widespread mid-February melt-freeze crust is now typically down 20-40 cm. This crust extends as high as 2200 m and is up to 15 cm thick at treeline. The recent storm snow is reported to be bonding well to the crust. Reports from Monday suggests the recent storm snow is now faceting with the current cold temperatures and new surface hoar is forming. In the alpine, wind slabs and cornices were previously being reported on high northerly aspects but these are expected to have gained considerable strength over the past couple days of cold temperatures. Below 1150 m, the snow surface was reported to be wet on Monday.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Reactive wind slabs may still be lingering in high north facing terrain. Large lingering cornices may also still be weak and could fail under the weight of a person.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Avoid areas where the surface snow feels stiff or slabby.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Dry

It may be possible to trigger loose sluffs on steep sun exposed slopes during the heat of the afternoon.
Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2