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.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers, especially on steep convexities and at ridgetops. As always, give cornices a wide berth from above and below.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Monday night: Partly cloudy, light northwest ridgetop wind, alpine temperature -18.
Tuesday: Sunny, light northwest ridgetop wind, alpine high -16.
Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud, light northerly ridgetop wind, alpine high -18.
Thursday: Sunny, light northeast ridgetop wind, alpine high -23.
Avalanche Summary
Recent skier triggered wind slabs have been limited to size 1. Explosive control work conducted prior to the weekend produced size 2 cornice and storm slab avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs on a variety of aspects are likely beginning to facet and lose cohesion in the cold temperatures. 50-100 cm of snow sits on a persistent weak layer that consists of facets at upper elevations, surface hoar in sheltered areas, a melt-freeze crust below 1900 m, and a sun crust on south-facing slopes. There could be more than 100 cm on this layer in wind loaded areas.
A crust from early December may be found around 200+ cm deep in the snowpack. Under the current conditions, it has been unreactive.
Terrain and Travel
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may exist in atypical terrain features due to recent northerly wind direction. Although they tend to facet and lose cohesion in cold temperatures, wind slabs may remain sensitive to human triggers in steep convexities and near ridgetops.
Faceting and loss of cohesion in cornices can make them prone to fail, as can strong solar exposure. It is generally good practice to give cornices a wide berth from above and below.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 9th, 2021 4:00PM
