Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 17th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
Ross Campbell,
Storm slabs will be most reactive in terrain exposed to the wind, and where they overlie Surface Hoar and or a crust.
Expect sluffing in steep unsupported terrain features that was not affected by the wind.
Summary
Weather Forecast
On Friday expect flurries, moderate SW wind, and the FL to hover around 1300m. Saturday we are expecting ~10-15cm of new snow moderate SW winds, gusting strong, and the FL to stay around 1200m. Sunday they are just calling for flurries.
Snowpack Summary
Storm slabs developed Thursday with Strong SW winds and ~10cm of new snow, bringing our storm total to 30cm. The new snow and strong winds buried a layer of SH in sheltered terrain, old hard wind slabs in the Alpine, and crusts on all aspects BTL and solar slopes into the Alpine. The Jan 29 SH layer, buried 50-80cm, seems to be rounding.
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday field teams triggered 2 size 1 very soft wind slabs on a North aspect at TL. The crown was ~35cm deep, ~5-10m wide, and ran for ~50m. Also on Thursday, one large avalanche occurred in the HWY corridor, on a South aspect starting in the Alpine, terminating far above the HWY.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Problems
Storm Slabs
Wind/Storm slabs developed Thursday with strong winds and new snow. Wind/Storm slabs buried a new layer of Surface Hoar in protected areas, old hard wind slabs in exposed terrain features in the Alpine, and a melt-freeze crust BTL and solar aspects.
- Wind slabs will be most reactive in the Alpine and exposed areas of treeline
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 18th, 2022 4:00PM
