Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 11th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
zryan,
Avalanche Canada
A widespread rain crust on the snow surface will make for generally safe avalanche conditions, but unwelcoming riding conditions.
Wind slabs may exist in the high alpine where the snowpack might remain dry.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure continues to bring dry conditions into Saturday.Â
Friday Overnight: Mainly clear. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom. Moderate to strong northwest winds at ridgetop.Â
Saturday: Mainly cloudy. Freezing level rising to 1900 m in the afternoon. Moderate to strong northwest winds at ridgetop.
Sunday: Cloud cover increasing. Freezing level rising to 1500m. Light to moderate westerly winds at ridgetop.
Monday: Snowing. Freezing level rising to 1000 m in the afternoon. Light to moderate westerly winds at ridgetop.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous wet loose avalanches were observed on all aspects and elevations on Thursday from the rain event that occurred on Wednesday.
Last Sunday, a deep persistent slab avalanche was likely triggered naturally by intense warming and sun and released on depth hoar or the November crust. It occurred just south of the region (see this MIN report).Â
Snowpack Summary
A 1-5 cm breakable rain crust exists on all aspects and elevations from the rain event on Wednesday. Dry snow may exist in the alpine above 2300m, and will have been transported by westerly winds into wind slabs in lee areas.
Below the crust, last week's 30-50 cm of storm snow buried a weak layer of surface hoar crystals. The last reported avalanche on this layer was on February 7th in the southeast of the region and it is becoming increasingly hard to find in the snowpack with no recent reactivity in tests.
The lower snowpack is generally strong and well-bonded. The base of the snowpack is expected to be weak and faceted in shallow, rocky slopes east of the divide.
Terrain and Travel
- A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
- Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
Problems
Wind Slabs
If the snow surface remains dry in the high alpine, strong westerly winds may have redistributed available snow into wind slabs in lee areas. Be aware as transition above the rain crust and avoid any wind-loaded areas.
Aspects: North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
If the sun comes out today, strong solar radiation compounded by warm temperatures may weaken the upper snowpack in the afternoon, creating wet loose avalanches on steep solar aspects.
Aspects: South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 12th, 2022 4:00PM
