Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 16th, 2021 4:17PM

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

Marcus Waring,

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Time to start reeling it in a bit...

Southwest wind is stiffening wind slabs and hiding previous reverse loading

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine high -10 with Moderate SW wind.

Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine high -10 with Light to Moderate SW wind.

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with and Alpine high of -8. Moderate SW wind.

Snowpack Summary

Last weeks snow is settling well in sheltered areas at Cameron Lake but pockets of wind slab continue to develop in unusual places due to variable wind direction. Surface snow sits over old wind slab which overlies a melt freeze crust below 1900m. Mid snowpack is well consolidated but becomes faceted and shallow east of the Cameron Lake area.

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 natural avalanche occurred on a West aspect of Buchanan Ridge (AKA Argulite towers)  on a cross loaded gully feature. See MIN report for pictures.

Loose Dry activity observed over the weekend in steep terrain in the Alpine and at treeline.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

SW winds have returned stiffening wind slabs and making it difficult to see the reverse loading that occurred last week. Wind slabs seems to be most reactive at tree line.

  • Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by northerly winds last weekend.
  • Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 19th, 2021 4:00PM

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