Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Feb 14 – 15, 2022Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

A bit of new snow and shifting winds from southwest to northwest may form small wind slabs on steep lee features in the alpine.

Small wet loose avalanches may run long distances in steep terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    New snow and shifting winds from southwest to northwest may form small wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.

    Larger wind slabs may exist in the north of the region at upper elevations where the intense rain on Wednesday fell as snow.

    Cornices overhead are a primary concern during sunny, warm, or windy conditions. Cornice failures may trigger very large persistent slab avalanches that would otherwise be difficult to trigger.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    New snow forecast for Sunday night will lose cohesion when it is heated by the sun. Small wet loose avalanches may run long distances in steep terrain.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm / Light, northwest wind / Low of -6 / Freezing level valley bottom.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Strong, northwest wind / High of -2 / Freezing level 700 m.

TUESDAY: Increasing cloudiness with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm / Extreme, northwest wind / High of -3 / Freezing level 600 m.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm / Strong, northwest wind / High of 1 / Freezing level 1100 m.

Confidence

High -

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 natural cornice failure was reported on Saturday. The cornice did not trigger a slab avalanche on the slope below.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of wind-pressed snow overlies a thick (10-15 cm) rain crust that extends to mountain tops. This crust has created challenging travel conditions and a "slide-for-life" hazard on steep slopes.

Small wind slabs may be found on lee features in the alpine. 

The weak layers in the snowpack (such as the crust or surface hoar layers down around 100 cm) are unlikely to human trigger in areas where a hard surface crust is present. If the surface crust is warmed up and breaks down, triggering persistent slab avalanches becomes more likely.

However, cornices overhead are a primary concern during sunny, warm, or windy conditions. Cornice failures may trigger very large persistent slab avalanches that would otherwise be difficult to human trigger.

Terrain and Travel

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • Cornice failures could trigger very large and destructive avalanches.

Regions covered