Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 8th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Ian Jackson,
!! Avalanche Control is planned on Mt Whymper in Kootenay National Park on Tuesday Feb. 9th. No access to this area on Tuesday !!
Extreme cold in the region: Be prepared, plan short trips in the sun and don't have an accident in this cold!
Summary
Weather Forecast
Cold and clear with an Extreme Cold Warning for the region. Overnight low temperatures reaching -40 on Monday night and only slightly warmer on Tuesday. Thankfully, alpine winds are light although increasing into moderate from the NW on Tuesday. Long range temperature outlook is a little more reasonable for the weekend.Â
Snowpack Summary
Previous winds from all directions have redistributed the recent 30-60cm of low density storm snow into wind slab in the alpine and exposed areas at tree line. In sheltered areas the recent storm snow remains loose powder. Buried sun crust and facets on steep south aspects. Treeline snow depths range from 150-220cm.
Avalanche Summary
Evidence of recent cornice failures and loose dry avalanches in steep alpine terrain in Kootenay today. Also of note, last week there were three avalanches up to size 1.5 reported on south aspects below treeline. These failed on a suncrust buried 30-40 deep. We believe this problem is isolated and trending unreactive but may still exist
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs recently formed from variable winds are still a concern, but are becoming stubborn with the cold temperatures. Increasing alpine winds on Tuesday may elevate the hazard in areas where loose snow is available for transport.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 9th, 2021 4:00PM
