Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 16th, 2019 3:40PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

Cold dry conditions continue for the next few days. Watch for wind slabs in unusual places as the wind keeps shifting directions.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Wind speed and direction is uncertain

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Clear with cloudy periods, light north wind, alpine temperatures drop to -10 C.SUNDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods, moderate north wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.MONDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods, moderate northwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.TUESDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries and accumulations of 5 cm, moderate northwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, one isolated wind slab avalanche (size 2) was triggered by a skier on a east-facing alpine feature in the north part of the region. Otherwise, no notable avalanche activity has been reported in the past few days. On Wednesday, numerous size 2 loose dry and storm slab avalanches were reported on all aspects in the south of the region.

Snowpack Summary

5-15 cm of low density snow sits above a mix of hard wind affected snow and possibly crusts on south-facing features. Several crusts can be found 40-80 cm below the surface. At higher elevations cold temperatures have broken down these crusts. In sheltered terrain at and below treeline, a layer of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets may be identified around these crusts, but this interface has produced little recent avalanche activity. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent wind has formed slabs in exposed terrain in the alpine and at upper treeline elevations. A buried crust on steep south-facing features may increase the likelihood of triggering.
Minimize exposure to steep planar south-facing slopes.Be careful with wind loaded pocketsWatch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 17th, 2019 2:00PM

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