Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 23rd, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
Grant Statham,
We are in the middle of an avalanche cycle and many large avalanches have been observed from control work. PLEASE NO SKIING OR CLIMBING ON MT FIELD, MT DENNIS or SIMPSON on Wednesday due to avalanche control.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Wednesday looks like a beautiful day, with mostly clear skies and the temperature dropping overnight to reach -20 in the morning. Winds should be relatively light out of the NW. On Thursday, overcast skies and light snow returns with up to 5 cm per day for many days in a row. Looks like a long stretch of light snow and clouds coming our way.
Snowpack Summary
The recent storm deposited between 30-40 cm of new snow along with very strong winds and warming temperatures to create widespread storm slabs failing on the Fe 19 facets layer underlying. Expect this snowpack to remain very sensitive to human triggering for the next few days as the snowpack slowly begins settle.
Avalanche Summary
A widespread avalanche cycle is occurring this week, with avalanche control producing large avalanches from almost every target. We have buried the SSV road 200 cm deep x 50 long, hit the creek on Eagle 3, almost hit the road on Whymper South and observed big avalanches in Bosworth. Some natural activity but most avalanches require a trigger.
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
30-50 cm of recent storm snow overlies a weak facetted layer in sheltered locations. This has resulted in wind effected slabs in alpine areas and less slab effect in more sheltered areas. Avoid avalanche terrain for another day still.
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 24th, 2021 4:00PM
