Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 9th, 2021 4:00PM

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

Deryl Kelly,

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If you must travel in the Back Country: keep your objectives short, and close to home. Even a small injury will have serious consequences with the present temperatures.

Ice climbers be very leery of any brittle, overhead features.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Coldest recorded temps (so far;): Maligne, -40.1; Parkers Ridge, -34.9

My limited meteorological experience tells me, it's really cold; and not looking to be tolerable, at least until the end of the week.

Wednesday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperature: High -24 °C. Ridge wind northeast: 10 km/h.

Snowpack Summary

The cold has deeply penetrated the snowpack, promoting profound facetting in the upper 40cm. This will slow any slab development on the recent storm snow. The mid-pack has remained strong but, will loose strength over time with the prolonged arctic influence, especially where shallow. 

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity observed or reported.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind speeds have remained light with only occasional transport speeds recorded over the past few days. Watch for areas of localized wind effect in the ALP and exposed TL features.

  • Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cold temperatures can make cornices brittle. Keep a healthy distance away both when traveling below, or near corniced features.

  • Avoid travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
  • Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on ridges.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Feb 10th, 2021 4:00PM