Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 20th, 2022 3:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
JMackenzie,
Avalanche Canada
The new snow is a welcome change! But be mindful of fresh wind slabs as you transition to the Alpine. The bond at the recent storm snow interface is suspect, and human-triggering is a concern in certain terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Monday will bring some light flurries (up to 3cm), with a mix of sun and cloud later in the day. Temps will be chilly ranging from -22 to -27 at treeline with light to moderate NE winds. Expect nasty wind chill values!
A cold front will push through the region on Tuesday with clearing skies and temps between -35 and -22C.
Avalanche Summary
One size 1.0 wind slab was observed on a steep south aspect at 2450m. This slab was 20cm thick and did not run far. A few small loose dry avalanches were also observed in steep terrain at treeline and above.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 35cm of recent storm snow has fallen at treeline in the last two days. This snow overlies widespread wind effect at all elevations and sun crust in steep solar features. Field teams today found that the bond at the storm snow interface is variable, ranging from poor to good. Above 2400m the recent variable winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects. The slabs were not reactive to ski cutting today, but they could be a problem over the next few days.
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slab formation is on-going. Watch for these slabs on all aspects due to variable winds. These slabs are sitting on either a crust or a hard wind layer, and will be sensitive to human triggering in steep and unsupported terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 21st, 2022 3:00PM
