Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 12th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
JSmith,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs are likely present on lee features at all elevations and may remain reactive to human triggers on Sunday.
Whumpfing, cracking, and hollow sounds are all signs of instability that should cause you to back off into lower angle or less wind-loaded terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Clearing skies / Strong, west wind / Low of -11.
SUNDAY: Sunny / Light,west wind / High of -8.
MONDAY: Sunny / Light, northwest wind / High of -10.
TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Strong, west wind / High of -6.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Friday. However, our field team did report significant cracking on features that have been loaded by the wind. Whumpfing, cracking, and hollow sounds are all signs of instability that should cause you to back off into lower angle or less wind-loaded terrain.
On Thursday, explosives avalanche control between Carcross and Fraser produced a couple of size 2 windslab avalanches. These avalanches were on east and southeast aspects just above treeline.
Snowpack Summary
10-15 cm of recent snow has been hammered by strong southwest winds. Expect wind-affected surfaces on all but the most sheltered north aspects.
Wind slabs are likely present on lee features at all elevations and may remain reactive to human triggers.
This overlies a hard crust that extends up to at least 1200 m on solar aspects. Below this, the mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas.
Weak facets (sugary snow) exist at the base of the snowpack, especially in more shallow snowpack areas such as the Inland areas.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are likely present on lee features at all elevations and may remain reactive to human triggers.
Whumpfing, cracking, and hollow sounds are all signs of instability that should cause you to back off into lower angle or less wind-loaded terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 13th, 2022 4:00PM
