Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 28th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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As rain soaks the snowpack to the tops of the north shore mountains, loose wet avalanches will be easily triggerable by skiers. In higher terrain, heavy snow and wind will continue to build touchy storm slabs.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Rain, 10-15 mm, strong southwest wind, treeline temperature 0 C, freezing level 1900 m.

Tuesday: Rain, 10-15 mm, strong southwest wind, treeline high temperature +1 C, freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday: Wet snow mixed with rain, 15-20 mm, moderate southwest wind, treeline high temperature 0 C, freezing level 1200 m.

Thursday: Clearing, light northwest wind, treeline high temperature 0 C, freezing level 1200 m.

Avalanche Summary

Storm slabs were touchy on Sunday! A widespread natural storm slab avalanche cycle was reported up to size 2. Skier controlled storm slabs were triggering remotely and propagating widely at treeline and below as shown in this MIN report. Storms slab avalanches may gain mass by entraining wet snow, and run surprisingly far.

Snowpack Summary

30-60 cm of new snow from yesterday is becoming soaked by rain. Above 1400 m, snow may begin to accumulate over the rain soaked surface as the freezing level sinks back down. The new snow sits over a variety of weak surfaces including facets, surface hoar and sun crust, to which it appeared to be bonding poorly yesterday. 

50-80 cm below the surface, a 30cm thick crust caps the underlying snowpack which is well settled and strong.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Storm slabs will continue to develop throughout the day where precipitation falls as snow. Storm slabs are especially likely to be triggered in steep or convex terrain and in wind loaded areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

As rain soaks the snowpack at lower elevations, loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2022 4:00PM

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