Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 1st, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.
Grant Statham,
Avalanche control is happening on Mt Stephen on Tuesday, no climbing on any of the Mt. Stephen ice climbs. An avalanche cycle is underway. After a long period of stable snow, it's time to step back and reset your expectations once again.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A front stalled over the Rockies region continues to deposit heavy snow, although this continues to vary widely, almost by valley. Overnight on Monday and through Tuesday we expect to see another 10-30 cm of snow with freezing levels remaining about 1500 m. Although winds will pick up, they are lighter than usual for a storm of this magnitude.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 40cm of storm snow has fallen at the higher elevations by Tuesday. This snow is deep and low density below treeline and is forming slabs up to 100 cm deep at treeline and alpine areas where the wind is doing some light drifting. Watch for any slab formation in the new snow and dry loose avalanches running easily in gullies and steep terrain.
Avalanche Summary
Minimal observations due to poor visibility but small, dry loose avalanches were observed on a field trip up 93N today.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs and soft windslabs are forming as snowfall amounts add up. This problem exists at treeline and above and leeward areas had up to 100 cm slabs on Monday. Avoid avalanche terrain on Tuesday.
- Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Storm snow is forming reactive slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Up to 40 cm of storm snow sluffs easily in steep terrain. Ice climbers should avoid all gully climbs on Tuesday and skiers watch your sluff on all steep slopes.
- Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 2nd, 2021 4:00PM
