Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada TRettie, Avalanche Canada

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Carefully assess the amount of new snow throughout the day. Consider the hazard to be high if more than 30cm is observed. Forecasted snowfall amounts vary greatly across the Island.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Thursday night: stormy weather with light precipitation and moderate west winds gusting to strong. Freezing level around 1200m.

 Friday: stormy weather with light to heavy precipitation. Precipitation amounts vary greatly throughout the island. Mt Washington will likely only see 5cm, 5040 Peak could see as much as 50cm. Freezing levels will likely rise to 1500m. Winds will be strong from the west.

Saturday: no new snow expected. Moderate northwest winds in the morning shifting to southwest in the afternoon with freezing levels around 1500m.

Sunday: No new snow expected. Moderate to strong winds from the southwest and freezing levels around 1100m.

Avalanche Summary

Since Sunday's storm, there have been several reports of small dry loose sluffs in steep terrain (see this MIN report from Mt Allan Brooks). Several storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were also reported on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

The storm on Friday will form new storm and wind slabs at treeline and above. A crust can be found down 20 to 40cm that extends to mountain tops.

Terrain below treeline will experience rain and warm temperatures saturating the snow surface.

The mid and lower snow pack is well settled but shallow at low elevations leaving many hazards just below the surface.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New wind slabs will form throughout the day on friday at treeline and above Some wind slabs could also be found in exposed features in the upper extend of the below treeline area.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

In areas that see greater than 20cm of new snow storm slabs will likely form. This is very likely in the terrain around 5040 Peak. forecasted precipitation will likely fall as rain below treeline but some terrain near the upper extend of the below treeline elevation band may experience snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Almost Certain

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Feb 4th, 2022 4:00PM