Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 9th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
llarson,
Avalanche Canada
Snow is available for transport, and with increasing westerly winds, human-triggered wind slabs are possible. Actively look for instabilities like shooting cracks and whumpfing.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous explosive-controlled soft slabs up to size 2 were reported in the Fernie area.
On Thursday several skier-triggered storm slab and dry loose up to size 1.5 were reported in the Nelson area.
Snowpack Summary
New low-density snow is being redistributed by westerly winds, developing wind slabs over various surfaces of surface hoar, soft snow, wind-affected snow, and a thin crust formed on steep, solar-facing slopes. A crust now buried 30 to 40 cm deep seems to be well-bonded at lower elevations, in the alpine this may still need some time to bond.
Crusts and facets in the mid and lower snowpack can still be found in isolated pockets and we will continue to monitor them for signs of reactivity.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mainly clear with periods of cloud. Alpine wind variable, generally westerly, 20 to 25 km/h. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Saturday
Clear with cloudy periods. Alpine wind west 25 to 35 km/h. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Sunday
Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries 4 to 8 cm accumulated. Alpine wind southwest 30 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Monday
Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries 5 to 10 cm accumulated. Alpine wind southwest 20 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -6 °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 the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Low-density snow coupled with moderate westerly winds will redistribute snow into lee terrain features at alpine and treeline elevations
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 10th, 2024 4:00PM
