Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Inland
No significant weather is expected this week. Be cautious around steep unsupported slopes at higher elevations.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
- Choose well supported terrain without convexities.
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, a few size 2 natural avalanches were reported on north and east aspects in the Howsons. A few large (up to size 3) cornices failed on east-facing slopes and triggered slabs on the very steep slopes below.
A MCR report from the Howsons (see here) reports widespread wind slab activity (size 1-2) during the peak of the storm last week and a decrease in activity by the weekend. A similar cycle of natural wind slab avalanches was also reported north of Hazelton. Although wind slab activity has declined, human-triggering remains possible.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate to strong outflow winds have redistributed 50-70 cm of recent storm snow in exposed areas. This storm snow has buried old, hard wind affected snow in exposed areas as well as sun crusts or dry facets in sheltered terrain.
A crust/surface hoar layer buried mid-January is now roughly 80-140 cm below the surface, and still has the potential to be triggered from a thin snowpack spot, or with a large trigger like cornice fall.
Facets at the base of the snowpack could also possibly be triggered from shallow snowpack areas.
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY: Increasing cloud throughout the day with isolated flurries and trace amounts of new snow, light west wind, alpine high temperatures around -10 C.
WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.
THURSDAY: Cloudy, light wind with moderate gusts, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.
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Strong wind has pressed and redistributed snow into slabs, particularly at upper elevations and on open features at and below treeline.