Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 14th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Stephen Holeczi,
Parks Canada
You can't outsmart the basal facets and depth hoar, especially in thinner snowpack areas where they are well preserved. Terrain choice will be your best defense. Good ski quality and coverage in many areas.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Westerly winds will stay in the moderate to strong range on Saturday. Highs of -5C at valley bottom and -12C in the alpine. 3-5cm expected Saturday and 3-5 on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30cm over the last few days sits over top of a well settled upper and mid-pack. The lower snowpack (bottom 50cm) consists of weaker facets and depth hoar which are well preserved in areas under 150cm. These are still producing moderate shears with snowpack tests. Isolated wind slabs exist near ridge tops and lee terrain in the alpine.
Avalanche Summary
No natural activity observed. The ski-hills reported small wind-slabs in the alpine and some moderate cornice development (described as fridge sized).
Confidence
Wind effect is extremely variable
Problems
Wind Slabs
While winds stay elevated, wind-slabs can be expected near ridge-tops and lee terrain in the alpine.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Several larger avalanches failing on the basal facet/depth hoar have been observed in the past week. This problem is more susceptible to triggering in areas with a thin snowpack (~150cm) where they are well preserved and are hard to predict.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 15th, 2020 4:00PM
