Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 8th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Persistent Slabs.
Timothy Johnson,
Watch for rising freezing levels through the day on Wednesday and into Thursday to increase avalanche danger.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Wednesday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -3 C.
Ridge wind west: 20 km/h.
Freezing level: 1800 metres.
Thursday
Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries.
Accumulation: 5 cm.
Alpine temperature: Low -12 C, High -4 C.
Ridge wind west: 25 km/h gusting to 75 km/h.
Freezing level: 1600 metres.
Snowpack Summary
Strong SW winds have stripped exposed alpine to rock. We expect wind slabs in crossloaded features and into tree line. A thin crust on solar aspects up to tree line below the 10cm of recent snow is likely. Several December facets layers can be found in the midpack. Facets and depth hoar are formed near the ground.
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday one large wind slab avalanche was noted on Fluted Peak on a south facing feature. Monday's Maligne and Icefield patrols noted several small loose wet low elevation avalanches triggered by the late afternoon warm sun on Sunday.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for wind slabs in cross-loaded features and further down the slopes than usual due to wind intensity.
- Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
With rising freezing levels watch for wet loose avalanche on solar aspects below tree line or on steep rocky faces
- Use extra caution on solar slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
- If triggered, loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Persistent slabs sit over different weak layers depending on elevation & aspect. It is critical to investigate these layers before committing as there is a lot of variability dependent on aspect and elevation.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 9th, 2022 4:00PM
