Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 3rd, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
Avalanche danger will increase as the wind picks up. We have uncertainty around the timing of the wind, but once it starts to blow, deep and reactive wind slabs are likely to trigger naturally as they form.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
Thursday night: 5-10 cm of low density snow with moderate SW wind. Alpine temperatures near -15.
Friday: Continued snow flurries 5-10 cm. SW wind building to strong. Alpine temperature near -15.Â
Saturday: Continued snow flurries 5-10 cm. Strong SW wind. Alpine temperature warming to -5.
Sunday: Continued snow flurries 5-10 cm. Strong SW wind. Alpine temperature near -5.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday numerous size 1 dry loose and soft slabs ran naturally and were easily reactive to skier triggering. On the Alaska side, strong outflow winds made for touchy avalanche conditions, with natural releases running to the road. We are expecting similar conditions in White Pass as the wind picks up.
Snowpack Summary
Flurries continue to accumulate over 45 cm of low-density snow from Wednesday. As the wind picks up on Friday, all that new snow will likely be transported into wind slabs in lee terrain features. These fresh slabs will likely be reactive due to a poor bond to underlying surfaces including surface hoar on sheltered northerly aspects and hard slab in wind-affected areas.
In shallow snowpack areas a layer of loose facets sits at the bottom of the snowpack.
Terrain and Travel
- Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of strong wind.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, avalanches may run surprisingly far.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Upwards of 45 cm of low density snow sits available for wind transport. As winds build, the recent snow will likely be transported into leeward terrain features and stiffened into slabs. These slabs are expected to be highly reactive due to a poor bond to underlying surfaces.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 4th, 2022 4:00PM
