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.
ejones,
Avalanche Canada
Update at 6:15 am PST: Wind slabs will be reactive to rider triggering today.
Choose sheltered, lower-angle terrain to enjoy some good turns.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
The Field Team was able to trigger a small pocket of wind slab on a steep slope on Thursday. Here's the full report.
Looking ahead, new snow and wind will likely form wind slabs in lee terrain features that will be reactive to rider triggering this weekend.
If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a MIN report.
Snowpack Summary
Strong southwesterly winds will redistribute 15 to 25 cm on Saturday, which will likely form reactive wind slab deposits.
These slabs may not bond well to the old snow surface, which in areas is firm surfaces from previous wind effects and warm temperatures, with a layer of weak, feathery crystals on top, as described by the Field Team here. In other areas, 10 - 20 cm of soft snow exists that may also be redistributed.
A hard melt-freeze crust is found 10 to 40 cm deep, up to 1500 m around White Pass, and 1200 m in the Wheaton Valley.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 60 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Partly cloudy. 40 to 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
- Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Southwest winds and new snow will form fresh and reactive wind slabs on lee terrain features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 10th, 2024 4:00PM
