Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 10th, 2021 3:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
jcoulter,
Avalanche Canada
Wind and extreme cold is not a fun combo! Be mindful of wind loaded features and use a conservative mindset when planning objectives in these temperatures.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Light to moderate east wind / alpine high temperature near -22
THURSDAY - Sunny / moderate gusting to strong north east wind / alpine high temperature near -18
FRIDAY - Mostly sunny / light east wind gusting moderate to strong / alpine high temperature near -14
SATURDAY- Cloudy / strong variable wind / -12
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday wind slabs up to size 2 were reported by various operators. The northern part of the region had the biggest reported events with windslabs up to size 2.5 on the late January interface.
On Monday, skiers were able trigger unsupported pillows failing on surface hoar down 25-40 cm near Terrace. In the north of the region, skiers found reactive wind slabs in immediate lee features in the alpine. A handful of small (size 1-1.5) natural wind slab avalanches were observed by road patrols.
On Sunday, 2 size 1 natural avalanches were reported in near Bear Pass, its likely that winds had more impact in the northern areas of the forecast region.
On Saturday, a size 2 persistent slab avalanche was intentionally triggered on a north aspect at 1200 m, failing down 35 cm on surface hoar. Skiers also reported a reactive weak layer down 35 cm producing cracking underfoot and sudden results in test profiles between 800 and 1100 m. In the far north, a handful of small (size 1.5) wind slab avalanches failed naturally.
Snowpack Summary
Cold temperatures are encouraging surface faceting in sheltered zones and continued outflow winds are building wind slabs (where snow is just not sublimating) and reverse loading features.
The late January interface is down 30-70 cm, this consists of surface hoar in sheltered locations, a crust on solar features, and facets and stiff wind affected snow at upper elevations. Below treeline, 10-30 cm of snow sits above isolated pockets of surface hoar and a crust that is more prominent on solar aspects.
The mid-pack seems to be well settled. Deep persistent layers appear to have mostly become unreactive, with the exception of the Bear Pass area and the far reaches south of Kitimat.
Terrain and Travel
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Outflow winds have been redistributing loose snow, building reactive slabs and reverse loading features. Avalanches will be most likely in wind loaded areas and where the snow feels stiff or punchy. Be mindful of loose-snow or sluff in steeper sheltered features. Note that in some places avalanche hazard may be elevated where winds have penetrated into lower elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
30-70 cm sits above a buried weak interface that consists of surface hoar, facets, and/ or a crust. As the snow above this layer becomes more consolidated, the likelihood of avalanches may increase.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 11th, 2021 4:00PM
