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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 8th, 2021–Feb 9th, 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.
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 on steep convexities and at ridgetops. As always, give cornices a wide berth from above and below.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Partly cloudy, light northwest ridgetop wind, alpine temperature -18.

Tuesday: Sunny, light northwest ridgetop wind, alpine high -16.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud, light northerly ridgetop wind, alpine high -18.

Thursday: Sunny, light northeast ridgetop wind, alpine high -23.

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.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.