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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 7th, 2021–Feb 8th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Sea To Sky.

Wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers, especially in steep convex terrain features and at ridgetops. Despite the cold, the sun can pack a punch at this time of year so keep an eye on steep solar aspects in the afternoon and give cornices a wide berth.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: Clearing, light northerly ridgetop wind, alpine temperature -13.

Monday: Sunny, light westerly ridgetop wind, alpine high -14.

Tuesday: Sunny, light northerly ridgetop wind, alpine high -18.

Wednesday: Sunny, light to moderate northerly ridgetop wind, alpine high -18.

Avalanche Summary

Recent skier triggered wind slabs have been limited to size 1. Explosive control work conducted prior to the weekend produced size 2 cornice and storm slab avalanches.

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

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.