Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 24th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Darren Vonk,
Another pulse of precipitation and wind will keep the hazard elevated for a few days. Watch for wind effected terrain. Dig down to assess the bond of the new/old snow interface.
Summary
Weather Forecast
An additional 10cm of snow is forecasted in the Parkers ridge area over the next 36 hours. This will yet again be accompanied with Moderate to Strong South Westerly winds. Temperatures will be -8 and cooling off to -20 for the weekend
Snowpack Summary
Mod to Strong ridge top winds from the SW have created wind slabs or hard surface conditions in Alp & TL. Wind slabs overlie facets which will bond poorly. In sheltered areas the top 30-60cm is faceted snow over a supportive mid-pack where the snowpack is deeper. Thin snowpack areas are weak, un-supportive, and facetted.
Avalanche Summary
Forecasters down south on 93N noted wide spread wind effect in all alpine and exposed tree line features with strong to extreme snow transport at ridge tops today. Small loose dry observed with the suns help at the heat of the day on South West-West aspects.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Contuined Moderate to Strong SW winds are creating wind slabs
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Loose dry in steep terrain remain a hazard for ice climbers. Small sluffs could have big consequences in the wrong terrain.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.
- If triggered dry loose point releases can form deeper deposits in terrain traps.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Caution in thin snowpack areas where triggering is more likely. This is a low probability but high consequence problem.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 25th, 2021 4:00PM
