Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 4th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
Storm slabs are likely to remain reactive to human triggers. Stick to low consequence terrain and avoid wind-loaded terrain features.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.
Weather Forecast
Friday night: Tapering flurries 5-10 cm. Strong NW wind. Freezing level 1000 m. Alpine temperature around -1 C.
Saturday: Scattered flurries up to 5 cm. Moderate to strong W wind. Freezing level 800 m. Alpine temperature around -4 C.
Sunday: Snowfall 10-20 cm. Strong SW wind. Freezing level 1000 m. Alpine temperature -2 C.
Sunday: Snowfall 20-40 cm. Moderate to strong SW wind. Freezing level 1000 m. Alpine temperature -2 C.
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday and Friday, explosive work produced storm slab avalanches up to size 3.5. Smaller natural storm slabs and loose dry avalanches were observed.
Snowpack Summary
50-100 cm of recent snow sits above a variety of surfaces that formed during the end of January. These include a crust, facets, surface hoar and combinations of these crystals. The crust can be found at or below treeline as well as on south-facing terrain in the alpine. Facets have likely formed in shady areas that did not form a crust. Surface hoar may be found in isolated sheltered terrain at treeline. Below around 1200m, the upper snowpack is wet to moist over these surfaces.
The January 19th surface hoar layer can still be found down 40 to 60 at treeline and above in sheltered terrain. Recent reports indicate that it is becoming less of a concern.
Terrain and Travel
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs will likely remain reactive to human triggers. Sensitivity could be greater in areas where storm and wind slab has formed over a crust, facets, or surface hoar.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 5th, 2022 4:00PM
