Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 25th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
Adam Greenberg,
A weak layer of facets formed during the previous cold snap has been loaded by recent wind and snow and may be reaching a critical threshold for human triggering. Consider the consequences of an unexpectedly large avalanche.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Friday: Cloudy with scattered flurries. 5-10cm of snow. Alpine high of -2. Moderate West wind with strong gusts.
Saturday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace amounts of snow. Alpine high of -8. Moderate to Strong West wind.
Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine high of -6 . Strong West winds.
Snowpack Summary
Extreme SW-W winds have hammered the snowpack, distributing up to 40cm of recent storm snow and forming slabs. These sit on the weak February 14 facet layer which is above a melt freeze crust at treeline and below. The remainder of the midpack is made up of dense facets and decomposing crusts, with early season ice crusts forming the base.
Avalanche Summary
Few recent observations in the park due to the recent closure of the Akamina Parkway. Neighbouring operations have reported skier remote and skier triggered persistent slabs on the February 14 facet layer with scary near misses.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Problems
Persistent Slabs
The February 14 facet layer has been buried by up to 40cm of storm snow with extreme winds. Recent skier triggered avalanches in neighboring regions paired with few observations have us treating this layer with respect as we gather information.
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
- Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Recent strong to extreme southwest winds have formed thick wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. These will continue to build through the weekend with incoming wind and precipitation.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 28th, 2021 4:00PM
