Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 11th, 2020 8:03AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
chris gooliaff,
Parks Canada
There is some amazing skiing to be found right now!
Be aware some valleys have received more wind than others, so the presence of wind slabs at higher elevations should be investigated.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A trailing cold front will bring light snow today. A short-lived ridge builds tonight.
Today - Snow, tapering by mid-afternoon, 5cm. Winds mod W'ly gusting strong. Alpine high -7*C
Wed - Mix of sun and cloud, light W'ly winds, alpine high of -9*C
Thurs - Flurries amounting to 10cm. Mod SW'ly winds gusting strong. Alpine high of -7*C
Snowpack Summary
Moderate to strong SW winds are currently redistributing low density snow at ridge-top and exposed tree-line elevations. Variable soft slab should be expected in the immediate lee of ridges and across exposed alpine slopes. Below 1800m, the Feb 1 Melt-freeze crust is down 30cm and observed up to 10cm thick at 1300m.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous dry point releases (less than sz 1) were observed from steep/extreme terrain yesterday in the Asulkan Valley. A brief period of strong solar radiation triggered a sz 1.5 that hit a skier on the steep, S couloirs of Abbott, knocking their ski off.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Gusty SW winds are moving snow around right now, creating pockets of soft slab in the alpine and exposed tree-line locations. Steep zones like Cheops N, Macdonald, and the S side of Tupper will likely be active today with avalanches.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Caution on steep solar aspects where the snowpack is thin and or cross loaded.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
This week's low density snow has a propensity to sluff far and fast, especially with another 5-10cm today.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 12th, 2020 8:00AM
