Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 21st, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
With wind stations rimed, we have uncertainty around the extent of recent wind affect on the snow. Make observations and assess surface conditions as you travel. Pay attention to the wind, watch for blowing snow and signs of instability like cracking or recent avalanches.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
Monday night: Increasing cloud, wind shifting southwest and building to strong, temperature rising to -16.
Tuesday: Flurries bringing a few cm of snow, strong southwest wind, high of -10.
Wednesday: Sunny, light southwest wind, high of -8.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud, moderate southwest wind, high of -5.
Avalanche Summary
We have received no reports of recent avalanche activity or signs of instability.
Snowpack Summary
MIN reports over the weekend describe great riding conditions at Fraser and White Pass summit. As we get into the week, surface snow could become more wind affected from outflows on Monday followed by strong southwest flow Tuesday.Â
10-20 cm of recent snow appears to be bonding well to a variety of underlying surfaces including a crust that extends up to at least 1200 m on all aspects. Below this, the mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas. Weak facets (sugary snow) at the base of the snowpack appear to be rounding and bonding.
Terrain and Travel
- Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds are forecast to shift abruptly from northeasterly outflows on Monday to strong southwesterly flow on Tuesday so watch for wind loading on a variety of aspects. Likely features to find wind deposited snow include ridge crests and convexities. Whumpfing, cracking, and hollow sounds are all signs of instability that should cause you to back off into lower angle or less wind-loaded terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 22nd, 2022 4:00PM
