Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 23rd, 2020 7:51AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
Kate Ryan,
Parks Canada
The Avalanche WRA is CLOSED today. Please respect this closure.
Carefully assess slopes for reactivity of the freshly buried Feb 22nd surface hoar/ sun crust.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Today: 6cm precip + more with convective activity. Freezing levels 1300m. Winds gusting up to 50km/h from the west.
Tonight: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Freezing levels lowering to 600m. Winds SW 20-35km/h
Tomorrow: An upper level ridge moves in, bringing a mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level 1000m. Winds west 20-30km/h
Snowpack Summary
25cm+ storm snow has now buried the February 22 weak layer. This layer consists of surface hoar (observed up to 2300m) in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects. In some locations, the surface hoar may be sitting on a sun crust. On shaded slopes expect 30cm of soft snow over a well settled mid-pack.
Avalanche Summary
A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred yesterday on all aspects and elevations, with some very large avalanches (size 3.0) reaching valley bottom. These avalanches were failing on the Feb 22nd surface hoar/ sun crust layer.
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
Developing storm slab over the freshly buried Feb 22 surface hoar/ sun crust. Although the new slab is very soft, human triggering of the fresh storm slab is likely on steep features and in wind affected areas.
- Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow.
- Carefully assess open slopes at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 24th, 2020 8:00AM
