Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 2nd, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
IJ,
Avalanche Canada
Continued wind and a bit of new snow is in the forecast. If forecasted snow on Saturday/Sunday comes true, treeline hazard may bump up in some areas...
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Lake Louise snow safety team noticed several size 1 windslabs and 1 size 2 on a reloaded bed surface. All of these were on north through east aspects in alpine terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate to strong west winds have formed wind effect and fresh wind-slabs at alpine and tree-line elevations. The upper snowpack has a weak interface down 20-40 cm on the Jan 4 surface hoar/suncrust layer. The Nov 16 deep persistent layer is down 40-90 cm and continues to produce variable sudden test results. The mid and lower pack is weak in eastern regions and more supportive in western areas.
Weather Summary
Strong SW flow over the next few days with most of the moisture falling to the west of our region. Freezing levels rising to ~ 1400m daily throughout the period.
Friday: Alpine winds extreme from the SW. Light flurries starting in the afternoon.
Saturday: Alpine winds decreasing to strong from the W. 5-10 cm snow possible with higher amounts in western areas.
Sunday: Alpine winds ease to moderate from the SW, with up to 5 more cm of snow.
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.
- In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate to strong W winds have formed wind effect and fresh wind slabs in the alpine and treeline elevations. These wind slabs have been reactive to skier triggering.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The lower snowpack is comprised of weak facets and depth hoar with the upper snowpack forming a 40 to 90 cm thick slab above the weakness. Human triggering on this layer remains a concern.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2023 4:00PM
