Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 12th, 2020 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
chris gooliaff,
Parks Canada
A slightly heavier blanket of snow overlies the recent low density fluff, setting up the possibility of surface slab failure.
Shooting cracks under your skis/boards are great clues to pay attention to today!
Summary
Weather Forecast
A short-lived ridge today gives way to unsettled flurries for the next few days.
Wed - Mix of sun and cloud, light W'ly winds, alpine high of -8*C
Thurs - Flurries amounting to 10cm. Light SW'ly winds gusting moderate. Alpine high of -7*C.
Fri - Continuing flurries, 5cm. Light W'ly winds gusting strong. Alpine high -8*C
Snowpack Summary
Mild temps with light snowfall have created a soft, cohesive 10-20cm storm slab that overlies variable old surfaces. Recent mod/strong SW winds redistributed low density snow at ridge-top and exposed tree-line elevations; variable soft slab should be expected in these areas.
Avalanche Summary
Several sz 2 avalanches were noted from the N aspect of Macdonald (high elev) and the S aspect of Cougar Mtn (low elev) yesterday. A field team in the Hermit basin, as well as Fidelity, were able to ski cut the upper 10-15cm soft slabs on unsupported rolls at tree-line.
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
The most recent snowfall came with milder temps, creating a 10-20cm soft slab that seemed reactive on steep, unsupported rolls at all elevations. This new storm slab may hide previous wind slabs in alpine lee and cross-loaded features.
- Convex features and steep unsupported slopes will be most prone to triggering.
- 949
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 13th, 2020 8:00AM
