Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 22nd, 2019 4:03PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeA bit of new snow overnight will help refresh the skiing. Things are pretty good overall, but keep watching for small wind slabs and sluffing in steep terrain, especially if skiing or climbing in confined terrain or steep gullies.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Up to 5 cm of snow is expected on Friday night with moderate W winds. Flurries will persist on Saturday with light winds out of the N and E and temperatures in the -10 to -15 C range. Sunday looks sunny and cold.
Snowpack Summary
At treeline and above a mix of powder, weak surface facets, wind slab, and some sun crust, can be found over a supportive mid-pack. In isolated areas at treeline and below the Jan 17 surface hoar can be found down 30-60 cm, and is producing hard but sudden test results. Weak basal facets can be found in some thin areas of the Little Yoho region.
Avalanche Summary
Small thin natural wind slabs and loose dry avalanches up to size 2 have been observed out of very steep alpine terrain over the past couple days with loose dry avalanches running down into treeline. Skier triggered loose dry sluffing of the surface facets has also been observed in steep terrain at all elevations up to size 1.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday
Problems
Wind Slabs
A mix of new wind slabs and old buried slabs have been found on various aspects that continue to be worth watching for in steep terrain.
Variable winds may create pockets of wind slab in some unexpected locations.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
A sustained period of cold weather has created weak, dry, faceted surface snow. In steep terrain, these facets are sensitive to small natural and human triggers and can quickly gain enough mass to affect skiers and climbers, especially in gullies.
Good group management is essential to manage current conditions safely.Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 23rd, 2019 4:00PM