Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 2nd, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
mconlan,
Avalanche Canada
Conservative terrain travel is recommended -- wind slabs exist up high and a persistent slab problem is emerging.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -14 C.
THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -10 C.
FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, 40 to 60 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -7 C.
SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 40 to 60 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 1300 m.
Avalanche Summary
A few small wind slabs were triggered naturally and by riders on Tuesday on various aspects.
Looking forward to the coming days, slab avalanche activity is expected to increase once the recent snow settles and forms a cohesive slab. Human triggering remains elevated, particularly where the snow sits on the surface hoar described in the snowpack summary.
Snowpack Summary
Around 30 to 50 cm of recent snow has been blown into wind slabs in terrain exposed to the wind at higher elevations. Wind slabs may be found on all aspects due to variable wind directions. In sheltered terrain, the snow may sit above a weak layer of surface hoar crystals. In areas where the snow has formed slab properties, this snow will be reactive to riders and will remain touchy for some time. We've received indication that the surface hoar is likely most prominent in sheltered openings at and below treeline (e.g., open trees, cutblocks, burns) but could extend into the alpine. The snow sits on a hard melt-freeze crust on steep sun-exposed slopes.
The lower snowpack is generally strong and well-bonded.
Terrain and Travel
- Good day to make conservative terrain choices.
- Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Around 30 to 50 cm of snow sits above a widespread weak layer of surface hoar crystals, particularly in terrain features sheltered from the wind. Example terrain features to particularly treat as suspect include the lee side of ridges, openings in trees, cutblocks, and burns. This snow will be touchy in areas where it has formed a cohesive slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may be found in steep, wind-exposed terrain. They may be found on all aspects due to variable wind directions.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2022 4:00PM
