Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 21st, 2022–Feb 22nd, 2022
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: Purcells.

If easterly winds pick up, there is snow available for transport to build wind slabs in unusual features. Watch for reactivity on all aspects around ridge lines.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Clearing overnight. Light to moderate easterly winds. Alpine low to -23.

TUESDAY: Sunny, light to moderate easterly winds. Alpine highs of -17. 

WEDNESDAY: Increasing cloud throughout day, light to moderate northerly winds. Alpine highs of -15.

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate northerly winds. Alpine highs of -10. 

Avalanche Summary

On Monday near Golden there were some small dry loose avalanches observed in steep terrain. On Sunday in the Purcells there were a few natural storm slabs observed up to size 2. Also on Sunday around Quartz Creek there were shooting cracks and several small avalanches triggered by snowmobiles in steep unsupported north east creek features. In the south of the region there a small wind slab reported from the backcountry around Panorama.

Snowpack Summary

In exposed areas surface snow is available for transport into wind slabs on unusual aspects due to forecast easterly winds. In sheltered areas, 20-30 cm of recent snowfall sits over a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects at all elevations, and wind-pressed snow in exposed terrain. In sheltered terrain features a small layer of surface hoar may exist above the melt-freeze crust.

A layer of buried surface hoar sits 30-50 cm deep in the upper snowpack, most likely to be found and triggered on north aspects in sheltered areas. This layer has produced variable results in recent snowpack tests, and could be triggered by large loads such as a cornice fall or step down avalanche. 

The lower snowpack is well consolidated, with a crust/facet layer found 80 to 150 cm deep. It is currently considered dormant, but could become active later this season. Check out the forecaster blog for more information. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for pockets of wind slab on various aspects in exposed terrain and around ridgelines. The storm initially came in with southwest winds, but with the intrusion of arctic air, winds switched to easterly potentially building slabs in less common locations.

These slabs may have formed on top of old crusts and hard wind-pressed snow and there is uncertainty about how quickly they will bond to old surfaces. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2