Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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Wind slabs likely remain triggerable in the alpine.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

After a stormy and avalanchy week, by Friday reports of avalanche activity were limited to natural wind slabs size 1-1.5 out of north to east aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

A moist upper snowpack up to 2000 m is refreezing into a crust. In the alpine, the refreeze may be slowed by overlying dry snow; as little as 10 cm near Smithers and and much as 50 cm near the coast. Below 1000 m, the fully rain-soaked snowpack is starting to refreeze.

A variety of previously concerning weak layers buried in January can be found 30 - 80 cm deep. These layers appear to be strengthening and are expected to continue to improve under the current cooling trend.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Clear. Northwest ridgetop wind 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperature around -12 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. Northwest to northeast ridgetop wind 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. East ridgetop wind 30-40 km/h. Treeline temperature around -6 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Southwest ridgetop wind <20 km/h. Treeline temperature around -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be triggerable at upper elevations where wind has transported dry snow into leeward terrain features. Wind-transported snow has also enlarged cornices recently.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 4th, 2024 4:00PM