Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 10th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
mbender,
Avalanche Canada
Pay attention to the direction of the wind as you travel through wind exposed areas – wind slabs are the main concern.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Wednedasy there was a report of a size 2-2.5 wind slab avalanche at 2100m which started just below ridgetop. As well there were a few explosives controlled avalanches size 1.5-2 on northerly aspects at 2000-2100m approximately.
This MIN on Wednesday outlines a size 1-1.5 skier triggered avalanche where a storm slab ran on a crust.
Snowpack Summary
20-30 cm of new snow from earlier in the week has been redistributed by southwest winds and sits on top of previously formed wind slabs in exposed terrain.
In terrain sheltered from the wind, small surface hoar crystals may be found 50-90 cm from the surface. At a similar depth, you may also find a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes and below 1900 m.
Deeper weak layers in the snowpack have not recently produced avalanches, but they may become reactive again if there is a rapid change in the weather.
The lower snowpack contains weak and faceted grains.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mainly cloudy with clear periods. Moderate west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -6 ºC.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with sunny periods. Light to moderate west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -4 ºC. Freezing level rising to 1300m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate west and southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -4 °C. Freezing level around 1200m.
Monday
Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
20-30cm of new snow from earlier in the week is being redistributed into lee terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 11th, 2023 4:00PM
