Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 22nd, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
jcoulter,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for pockets of wind slab on various aspects in exposed terrain and around ridge lines due to recent northeast winds.
These slabs may have formed on top of old crusts and hard wind-pressed snow and there is uncertainty about how quickly they will bond to old surfaces.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear, moderate northeast winds. Alpine lows of -25.Â
WEDNESDAY: Increasing cloud throughout day, light northwest winds. Alpine highs of -15.
THURSDAY: Trace of snow overnight. Mix of sun and cloud with light northerly winds. Alpine highs of -10.Â
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny, light westerly winds and alpine highs of -9.
Avalanche Summary
On Monday and Tuesday near Golden there were some small dry loose avalanches and small natural wind slabs observed in steep terrain. In the north of the region explosives control produce results in the 1-1.5 range.
On Sunday in the Purcells there were a few natural storm slabs observed up to size 2. Also on Sunday around Quartz Creek there were shooting cracks and several small avalanches triggered by snowmobiles in steep unsupported north east creek features. In the south of the region there a small wind slab reported from the backcountry around Panorama.
Snowpack Summary
Recent northeast winds have likely been reverse loading features forming wind slabs in unusual locations. In sheltered areas, 20-40 cm of recent snowfall sits over a mid-February drought layer consisting of melt-freeze crusts on solar aspects, and wind-pressed snow in other exposed terrain. A small layer of surface hoar may exist above the melt-freeze crust in sheltered areas in some locations.
Another layer of buried surface hoar sits 30-60 cm deep in the upper snowpack, most likely to be found and triggered on north aspects in sheltered areas. Though there haven't been reports of recent avalanches on this layer in this region, it is still on the radar of many operations and could potentially be triggered by large loads such as a cornice fall or a step down avalanche.Â
The lower snowpack is well consolidated, with a crust/facet layer found 100 to 150 cm deep. It is currently considered dormant but could become active later this season. Check out the forecaster blog for more information.Â
Terrain and Travel
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for pockets of wind slab on various aspects in exposed terrain and around ridgelines. The storm initially came in with southwest winds, but with the intrusion of arctic air, winds switched to easterly potentially building slabs in less common locations.
These slabs may have formed on top of old crusts and hard wind-pressed snow and there is uncertainty about how quickly they will bond to old surfaces.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 23rd, 2022 4:00PM
