Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 27th, 2019 4:03PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
swerner,
Avalanche Canada
Wind affected snow at upper elevations is the primary concern. Shooting cracks and whumphing are signs of unstable snow and wind slabs.
Summary
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY OVERNIGHT: Light snowfall amounts near 5 cm overnight with light southwest winds. THURSDAY: New snow 5-10 cm by the end of the day. Ridgetop winds light from the West and alpine temperatures near -9 FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop winds light from the northeast and alpine temperatures near -10. SATURDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Ridgetop winds light from the northeast and alpine temperatures near -13.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, explosive control produced one size 1.5 wind slab from a steep West aspect and a few human triggered wind slabs up to size 1 were also reactive on southerly aspects. On Tuesday, a few wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported. These were easily triggered by the weight of a skier on S-SW aspects 1900 m and above. The slabs were 30-50 cm thick and running up to 500 m in length. Snow that is unconsolidated is sluffing from steeper terrain features. Check out this recent MIN report from GIN Peak. Even small terrain features at treeline have wind slab problems. Heads up!
Snowpack Summary
Recent switching wind has formed pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain on most aspects but currently more reactive to human triggers on southerly aspects. New surface hoar formation can be found on most aspects in sheltered locations from the wind, while the steeper southerly aspects likely have a thin crust from solar input. The top 20 to 40 cm of the snowpack consists of low density snow that is gradually bonding to old hard surfaces including crusts and wind-packed snow. The low-density snow may sluff easily from steeper terrain features. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Northeast winds have formed fresh and reactive wind slabs in exposed south facing terrain, while pockets of older wind slabs can be found on all aspects.
Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 28th, 2019 2:00PM
