Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 4th, 2021 8:24AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Storm Slabs.

ross campbell,

Email

It's another good day for conservative terrain choices. While the likelihood of triggering avalanches is slowly decreasing, the consequences remain high.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Expect light snow throughout the day, which may accumulate to 5cm. A cooling trend, with alpine temps in the minus 10 region, and moderate westerly winds. Another 5cm of snow tonight, dribs and drabs of precipitation on Friday; then another 10cm of snow through the weekend. There is general cooling trend as the jet stream has shifted to a NW flow.

Snowpack Summary

An accumulated 60+ cm of storm snow from earlier this week buries Surface Hoar, Crusts, and or Facets depending on elevation and aspect. Storm slabs remain reactive in the Alpine and exposed areas of TL. Persistent slabs are still being triggered yesterday at and below TL. Our mid and lower snowpack is quite strong, with no current concerns. 

Avalanche Summary

2 skier accidentals size 2 slab avalanches were reported yesterday. One in Teddy Bear Trees and the 2nd in Puff Daddy. Both avalanches failed on the January 24th Surface Hoar Layer, and or facets on a crust. A few "Whumphs" were also reported from the backcountry in MIN reports around TL. No new avalanches were obs in the HWY Corridor yesterday.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The January 24th layer which is made up of Surface Hoar, Facets and Crusts (depending on elevation and aspect), is buried 60-80cm below the surface. 3 skier accidentals occurred yesterday on this layer; 2 at Rogers Pass and 1 outside of RMR.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Approximately 60cm of recent storm snow, accompanied by warm temps, and strong winds on Tuesday morning built storm slabs in the alpine and exposed areas of Treeline.

  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 5th, 2021 8:00AM