Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 19th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Tereza Turecka,

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Pay attention to snow accumulation in your area as amounts vary significantly across the bulletin region.Moderate rating at tree line meant for areas of higher precipitation total.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Sunday:Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries.Accumulation: 4 cm.Alpine temperature: High -12 °C.Ridge wind east: 10 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Monday:A mix of sun and cloud.Precipitation: Nil.Alpine temperature: Low -31 °C, High -26 °C.Ridge wind east: 15 km/h.Freezing level at valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

New wind slabs in the alpine and exposed tree line from strong SW winds and incremental precipitation. Weak temperature crust up to 1900m and solar crust on solar aspects up to 2800m. December facets down 20-70cm, showing signs of rounding within bulleting region. Basal facets & depth hoar present throughout area up to 30 cm off the ground.

Avalanche Summary

Icefields patrol and Maligne field team did not observe any new natural avalanche activity. Visibility was fair overall.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Sensitivity and consequence of this new slab may be increasing with incremental loading. These slabs are sitting on previous hard surfaces (old wind slabs, temperature and sun crusts).

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Persistent slabs present above 1950m as a buried facet layer down 20-40cm is the primary concern, however there has been a lack of natural avalanche activity on this layer in the recent days.

  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 20th, 2022 4:00PM