Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 19th, 2022 3:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada matt, Avalanche Canada

Its snowing! And as a bonus, amounts are more than forecast. So far southern areas are getting more than the north. Remember to inspect the old snow interface before choosing a line.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

The Great Drought of 2022 is officially over! Snow is expected for the next 24 hours and will hopefully bring another 10cm or so by tomorrow morning. As this happens, it will continue to cool off with a morning low of -11 and -20 by tomorrow evening. Most of tomorrow will have light winds, with a change in direction around midday. Maybe this will bring an upslope bonus storm for Monday?

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility today prevented a good look around, but an ongoing loose dry cycle is likely underway in very steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Take a moment and read this a few times...Snow, yes snow has arrived. As of 2pm Saturday there was 10-20cm of new snow at treeline areas. Less around the Spray lakes/tent ridge area, but still snow! The Anemoi (the Greek Gods of wind) have let us off the hook on this one. Light winds have kept the snow relatively untouched with only isolated windslabs at treeline. The most important thing to consider now is what the new snow is sitting on. And as we all know by now, those surfaces weren't pretty! Expect a poor initial bond with the old surfaces.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Windslabs will likely be on all aspects due to shifting winds tomorrow. Expect late day reverse loading.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

This snow has come in warm and may form settlement slabs. The poor bond with existing surfaces is putting this on the radar. It may not be a problem in the end, but hey, this is a forecast after all.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 20th, 2022 3:00PM

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