Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 6th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs can be found on a variety of aspects and may remain sensitive to human triggering. As always, practice good travel habits around cornices.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Saturday night: Mainly cloudy, light northwest ridgetop wind, alpine temperature -10.
Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud, light northwest ridgetop wind, alpine high -11.
Monday: Sunny, light westerly ridgetop wind, alpine high temperature -12.
Tuesday: Sunny, light variable ridgetop wind, alpine high temperature -15.
Avalanche Summary
Explosive control work conducted over the last few days have produced size 2 cornice and storm slab avalanches. Skier triggered wind slabs up to size 1.5 were reported on Thursday.
Earlier in the week, many of the numerous size 1-2 natural, human and explosives triggered avalanches were reported to have failed on the recently buried persistent weak layer.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs on a variety of aspects are likely beginning to facet and lose cohesion in the cold temperatures. 50-100 cm of snow sits on a persistent weak layer that consists of facets at upper elevations, surface hoar in sheltered areas, a melt-freeze crust below 1900 m, and a sun crust on south-facing slopes. There could be more than 100 cm on this layer in wind loaded areas.
A crust from early December may be found around 200+ cm deep in the snowpack. Under the current conditions, it has been unreactive.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
- Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
- Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may exist in lee features on a variety of aspects due to recently varying wind direction. Although they tend to facet and lose cohesion in cold temperatures, they may remain sensitive to human triggers Sunday.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 7th, 2021 4:00PM
