Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 25th, 2020 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada Mikey, Avalanche Canada

Email

Good skiing can be found in sheltered areas. Fresh wind slabs on E through S aspects from the recent NW winds.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Wednesday is looking like a mostly cloudy day with afternoon flurries. The high temperature in the alpine will be -6c with moderate to strong winds from the West.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed. 

Snowpack Summary

Strong NW alpine winds is moving our recent 10cm of snow onto SE features. Expect to find soft slabs in lee features and cross loaded gullies on the south to East aspects. Otherwise, there is the wind slab in the alpine and sun crust on solar aspects that was previously formed that is still on our radar. Good skiing can be found in sheltered areas.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid convexities, steep unsupported terrain and rocky outcroppings.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

The widespread wind slabs are now hidden under 10cm of fresh low density snow. These are primarily a concern in steep, convex and unsupported terrain. Thin areas may also be trigger points. Expect to find fresh wind slabs on E through S aspects. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem is still difficult to trigger, but snowpack stability tests today indicate a failure in the basal facets. Any resulting avalanche will be large and destructive.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Feb 26th, 2020 4:00PM

Login