Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 14th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
JSmith,
Avalanche Canada
Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on lee features in the alpine.
Whumpfing, cracking, and hollow sounds are all signs of instability that should cause you to back off into lower angle or less wind-loaded terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Increasing cloudiness / Extreme, west wind / Low of -11.
TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Strong, northwest wind / High of -5.
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm / Strong, west wind / High of -3.
THURSDAY: Snow; 5-10 cm / Strong, west wind / High of -3.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Sunday. However, we have had no field observations since Saturday.
On Friday, our field team reported significant cracking on features that had recently been loaded by the wind.
 Whumpfing, cracking, and hollow sounds are all signs of instability that should cause you to back off into lower angle or less wind-loaded terrain.
Snowpack Summary
10-15 cm of recent snow has been hammered by strong southwest winds. Expect wind-affected surfaces on all but the most sheltered north aspects.Â
Wind slabs are likely present on lee features at all elevations and may remain reactive to human triggers.
This overlies a hard crust that extends up to at least 1200 m on solar aspects. Below this, the mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas.
Weak facets (sugary snow) exist at the base of the snowpack, especially in more shallow snowpack areas such as the Inland areas.
Terrain and Travel
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive on lee features in the alpine.
Whumpfing, cracking, and hollow sounds are all signs of instability that should cause you to back off into lower angle or less wind-loaded terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 15th, 2022 4:00PM
