Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 22nd, 2018 4:14PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
pgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level at valley floor. Light to moderate winds.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, with a few flurries possible. Freezing level at valley floor. Light to moderate winds.SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, with a few flurries possible. Freezing level at valley floor. Light to moderate winds.More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Avalanche Summary
It has been fairly quiet the last couple of days, with only reports of explosives triggering small storm slabs.
Snowpack Summary
You are likely to find variable surfaces in open terrain after recent strong winds took out their fury on the upper snowpack. Fragile cornices and hard and soft wind slabs can be found on many alpine and treeline slopes. Ongoing cold temperatures are helping to break down and soften these.A crust/surface hoar interface is about 40-60 cm down, but is spotty in distribution. In sheltered areas where the surface hoar exists, it is reactive in snowpack tests. Deeper in the snowpack, the widespread mid-December weak layer sits about 120-200 cm deep. This consists of a crust, facets or surface hoar. Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer could be awoken from a thin-spot trigger point, or with a very large load.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs can be found on many slopes at treeline and above.
Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.Minimize exposure to overhead hazard from cornices.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 23rd, 2018 2:00PM
