Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 6th, 2021–Feb 7th, 2021

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

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.

Confidence

High -

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.

Avalanche 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: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2