Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 8th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
dsaly,
Avalanche Canada
Be cautious of wind loaded terrain. And bring your extra puffy - it's cold.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT - Cold and mostly clear / alpine low temperature near -32 / light northwest wind
TUESDAY - Cold and sunny / alpine high temperature near -20 / light northwest wind
WEDNESDAY - Cold with a mix sun and more cloud / alpine high temperature near -24 / light to moderate northwest wind
THURSDAY - Extreme cold, a mix of sun and cloud / moderate and increasing northeast wind / alpine high temperature near -28
Avalanche Summary
Dry loose avalanches were observed over the weekend with a few triggering small (size 1) slab avalanches.
On Friday there was a report of a size 2 explosives triggered wind slab avalanche, as well as a few size 1 human triggered dry loose avalanches. There was also a report of several natural avalanches, potentially up to size 3, a MIN report outlining these can be found here.
On Wednesday, numerous loose-dry natural avalanches were reported up to size 1.Â
Snowpack Summary
20-40 cm loose snow overlies wind affected snow at upper elevations and exposed terrain, softer snow in sheltered areas, and a crust on steep, solar slopes and elevations below 1900 m. Fresh snow has been redistributed by variable winds building slabs in lee features.
A solid mid-pack sits above deeply buried decomposing crust and facet layers near the bottom of the snowpack (80-150 cm deep). Though unreactive under the current conditions, steep rocky slopes and shallow snowpacks should still be approached with caution.
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
- Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
With plenty of loose snow to redistribute, wind will be the major driver of avalanche hazard for now. Use caution around ridges, cornices, and loaded features. In steeper terrain, be cautious of dry-loose avalanches and mindful of sluffing.
A weak interface may exist in some locations approximately 60 cm down and could reach its threshold with wind loading, initiating a deeper slab. At this point, this interface seems spotty through the region and hasn't been as reactive as in the Lizard-Flathead region. However, it is something to keep on your radar.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 9th, 2021 4:00PM
