Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 10th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
CJ,
Avalanche Canada
The avalanche hazard has increased slightly with winds creating new wind slabs and sluffing in steep alpine terrain features. Some weaknesses persist in the mid and lower snowpack and while reactivity of the lower layers has been limited, avalanches are still possible. Keep this in mind if entering steep committing terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Some natural sluffing up to size 1 in steep alpine terrain was observed on Saturday and a few small wind slabs up to size 1.5. One size 3 natural was observed in the Egypt Lake area in extreme terrain that was likely triggered by wind loading and stepped down to the deeper layers.
Ski cutting and explosive work produced new wind slab avalanches up to size 2 at local ski areas. Explosive work at Sunshine on Friday triggered one size 2 on the persistent mid-pack facets.
Snowpack Summary
Small wind slabs forming in lee areas of the alpine with increased West winds and some sluffing in steep terrain. 10-25 cm of recent storm snow sits over the Feb 3 crust that is present on all aspects except north above 2500 m. This crust ranges from 1-15 cm thick, with the thickest found in Yoho. Mid-pack weak layers from Jan and Dec are down roughly 30 and 50 cm respectively. Facets and depth hoar make up the basal layers of the snowpack in most locations.
Weather Summary
Another Pacific System will track across the Rockies on Sunday. 2 to 4 cm of snow is anticipated. Ridgetop winds will generally be from the west and moderate to strong overnight, easing to light to moderate during the day and picking up again in the evening. Treeline temperatures will range from -5 to -10°C.
For more mountain weather, click HERE.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.
- Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Increasing winds are moving the 10-25 cm of low-density storm snow around and forming new wind slabs in lee alpine areas. This new snow sits on the Feb 3 crust, and any slab or sluff will likely travel far and fast in steep terrain features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Two persistent layers from mid-January and the end of December exist in the mid-pack down roughly 30 and 50 cm. There has been minimal natural activity and infrequent triggering of these layers recently but the weakness is still present and should be considered in more committing terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 11th, 2024 4:00PM
