Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 5th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
shorton,
Avalanche Canada
Triggering avalanches remains likely on open slopes that have been wind loaded.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries and trace accumulations, moderate wind from the west, alpine temperatures drop to -5 C.
THURSDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries and 5-10 cm of new snow, light wind from the west, freezing level drops to 600 m with alpine high temperatures around -2 C.
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind, alpine high temperatures around -5 C.
SATURDAY: Sunny, light wind from the north, alpine high temperatures around -5 C.
Avalanche Summary
Tuesday's storm resulted in several large (size 2) naturally triggered slab avalanches, primarily on north and east facing slopes that were wind loaded. Over the past week there have been a few isolated instances of very large (size 3-4) avalanches failing on deeper weak layers with crown fractures over one metre thick, but these layers are unreactive under the current conditions. Glide cracks have reportedly been opening and releasing large glide slab avalanches. Avoid slopes with glide cracks, as they are unpredictable.
Snowpack Summary
30 cm of recent snow has rapidly settled due to mild temperatures. In open terrain this snow has been dramatically affected by strong wind from the southwest. A thin layer of facets that formed during the January cold snap is now 100-150 cm below the surface and an early season crust exists at the base of the snowpack. These layers produced a few large naturally triggered avalanches last week, but are most likely unreactive to human triggering under the current conditions.
Terrain and Travel
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- The new snow may require another day to settle and stabilize.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent storm snow is gradually gaining strength, but will likely remain reactive on steep and wind loaded slopes at higher elevations.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 6th, 2020 4:00PM
