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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 7th, 2022–Feb 8th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast.

A skiff of forecast snow isn't expected to form much of a new avalanche problem, but it may obscure recent wind loading. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before committing to it. 

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Light west winds.

Tuesday: Cloudy with scattered flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow, continuing overnight. Light to moderate west winds. Treeline high temperatures around -1 with freezing level remaining near 1200 metres.

Wednesday: Diminishing cloud with isolated flurries. Moderate to strong northwest winds. Treeline high temperatures around +3 with freezing levels rising to 3000 metres.

Thursday: Sunny. Moderate to strong northwest winds. Treeline high temperatures around +5 with freezing levels over 3000 metres.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous wet loose natural and skier triggered avalanches were observed on Friday at lower elevations. At treeline and above several wind slab avalanches to size one were reported on north aspects. Lingering wind slabs like these remain a concern for Tuesday, particularly at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Thin crusts from warm temperatures and sunshine now likely exist on all aspects at treeline and below as well as on solar aspects in the alpine. 

Beneath the surface, up to 20 cm of moist snow from Friday exists at treeline and below. Above this elevation it fell as dry snow. This overlies a melt freeze crust that likely extends to the top of treeline. Below this crust 20 to 60 cm of dry snow sits above another thick and supportive crust that extends to mountain top. At upper treeline and alpine, facets and surface hoar may be found above this crust.

The middle and base of the snowpack are well settled and strong.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.