Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 2nd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
zryan,
Avalanche Canada
Expect challenging travel navigating refrozen surfaces and avalanche debris.
At higher elevations, evaluate how the new snow is bonding to the crust and avoid freshly wind-loaded areas.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
The natural avalanche cycle observed last week due to the warming event has tapered with cooling temperatures. Numerous size 2-4 wet slab, persistent slab, and wet loose avalanches were seen from all aspects and elevations.
Avalanche danger has decreased with cooling temperatures, but concern for persistent slab avalanches remains in isolated areas in the alpine where the snowpack was not significantly impacted by this warming.
Snowpack Summary
Cooling temperatures have left a surface crust of varying thickness at all elevations above 1000 m. At upper elevations, up to 10 cm of dry snow may exist on top of this crust. Below 1000 m, the snowpack remains wet and isothermal.
The stress of the new load (warm, wet upper snowpack) has produced avalanches failing down to the mid-January crust/facet layer (30-80 cm down) and the early December rain crust/ facet layer (100+ cm down) These layers may remain a concern in the alpine where they were not significantly impacted by rain and warm temperatures.
The lower snowpack is characterized by weak basal facets in many areas.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with light rain turning to snow, up to 5 cm accumulation. Alpine wind southwest 30 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature dropping to -5 °C, freezing level falling to 800 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine wind west 15 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine wind northeast 15 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with light flurries. Alpine wind southeast 15 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Pockets of wind-transported dry snow may form small but reactive wind slabs overlying a crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The likelihood of avalanches failing on buried weak layers is decreasing but may remain a concern in alpine areas. High-consequence slopes should be approached with caution.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2024 4:00PM
