Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 19th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Storm Slabs.
William Lawson,
As the storm ends Sunday and cold clear weather arrives, lingering wind slabs at upper elevations will be the primary snowpack concern.
Summary
Weather Forecast
The westerly flow will end Sunday morning as an arctic high moves into the forecast region. Sunday will be a transition day with partly cloudy skies as the cold Arctic air moves into the forecast region. By Monday the high pressure system will bring clear skies, light winds and frigid temperatures.
Snowpack Summary
20-35 cm of new snow has fallen over the past 3 days. Strong west winds creating fresh wind slabs at treeline and above. Areas to the west received the most snow. These wind slabs may release easily on the various firm surfaces underneath. The Jan 30th surface hoar/sun crust interface exists 30-50 cm below the surface and is currently unreactive.
Avalanche Summary
The forecast team had limited back country observations Saturday and no new avalanches to report. Local ski hills reported new wind slab development on lee slopes producing small slabs size 1.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Consistent strong winds and snow accumulation over the past 3 days have developed wind slabs. These new winds slabs are sitting on a verity of surfaces like hard slab, SH and facets. Expect to find them in most leeward and drifted slopes.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
With up to 40cm of new snow accumulation and warm temps, some areas with high snowfall amount may have storm slab development. We have limited observations of this problem and suspect it will be short lived as cold temps arrive Monday.
- Watch for fresh storm slabs on exposed lee slopes and open areas at all elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 20th, 2022 4:00PM
