Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 1st, 2021–Feb 2nd, 2021

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Glacier.

Danger levels will continue to rise with continuing snowfall today. Forecasted gusty winds may bump the danger level even higher.

Cracking and whumphing around you is Mother Nature's warning to stick to low-angled, supported slopes.

Weather Forecast

Snow and warm for the next 24hrs, then flurries with general cooling.

Today: Snow, 15cm, FZL 1800m, light gusting strong S winds

Tonight: Snow, 15cm, FZL 1400m, light gusting strong S winds

Tues: Flurries, 5cm, FZL 1300m, mainly light ridge winds

Wed: Isolated flurries, FZL 700m, light/mod W winds

Thurs: Flurries, 10cm, FZL 500m, light/mod SW winds

Snowpack Summary

A heavy, 20cm storm slab sits atop the previous drought layer (surface facets, surface hoar, wind affect, and sun crust). In wind-affected areas, expect reactive storm slabs. Pay close attention to cracking/whumphing around your skis and in lee areas. The snowpack below is mostly well bonded, with critical layers from earlier this winter dormant.

Avalanche Summary

Field teams were able to easily ski cut sz 1 dry/loose avalanches in steep, lee tree-line terrain yesterday. Multiple reports of cracking in the new storm slab was reported in the MIN's.

And, to be expected, a small natural avalanche cycle began last night in the highway corridor (Tupper and Macdonald) with avalanches to sz 2.5.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.