Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 22nd, 2021 3:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada JMackenzie, Avalanche Canada

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Wind slabs are widespread due to 25cm of fresh snow and extreme SW winds. Hazard levels are elevated. Avoid avalanche terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Although wind speeds will decrease from what we experienced Sunday night and Monday morning, Tuesday will still have west to north-west winds at 50km/h at ridgetop. Another 5 to 10cm are possible by midday Tuesday and temperatures should reach a high of -10.

Avalanche Summary

No new naturally triggered avalanches were observed today due to very poor visibility. However, it is expected that a natural cycle is on-going. Avalanche control on EEOR today produced slides ranging from size 2 to 2.5. Some avalanches produced good propagation and due to the loose facets in the tracks, the slides ran far.

Snowpack Summary

Field observations in the Spray Valley were limited today due to avalanche control operations on EEOR. Weather stations indicate that up to 25cm of new snow fell at Treeline elevations. Winds through the storm were extreme from the SW, so widespread wind slab conditions are expected. In the Alpine these slabs could be very dense, whereas at Treeline the slabs may be more soft in nature and potentially more human-triggerable. All lee and cross-loaded terrain should be approached with caution. Slab depths and sensitivity to triggering will be highly variable, so be mindful of rapidly changing conditions as you travel through the terrain.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Extreme winds and 25cm of new snow have created touchy wind slabs at treeline and alpine elevations. A natural avalanche cycle is on-going.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Wind slabs in the upper snowpack may step down to the Jan 29th interface down 50-100cm. Dig down and evaluate this interface as you travel. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 23rd, 2021 3:00PM

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