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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 20th, 2022–Feb 21st, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Little Yoho.

The cold temps should help reduce the avalanche hazard in the coming days. The primary avalanche concern is wind slabs at upper elevations, especially where the slab overlays a crust.

Weather Forecast

The arctic air establishes itself into the forecast region on Monday, expect partly cloudy skies, light east winds, and plummeting temperatures to -30 overnight. On Tuesday expect clear skies, light winds and continued frigid temperatures. The ridge will weaken by the end of the day on Wed. with increasing cloud and warmer temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 60cm of new snow has fallen over the past 4 days. Previous strong west winds created slabs at treeline and above. Areas to the west received the most snow. These wind slabs may release easily on the various firm surfaces underneath. The Jan 30th surface hoar/sun crust interface exists 40-60 cm below the surface and is currently unreactive.

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanches up to size 2 out of large alpine start zones, and skier triggered avalanches to size 1 were reported occurring during the height of the storm on Saturday. The local ski hills reported explosive triggered slab and loose dry avalanches up to size 1.0 out of treeline terrain and 1.5 out of alpine terrain on Sunday.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.