Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 1st, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada llarson, Avalanche Canada

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New snow and gusty winds are developing new wind slabs in open terrain features at alpine and treeline elevations. Anticipate slopes where wind slabs are developing by monitoring the wind direction and avoid areas that look wind-affected or feel dense or stiff.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1 to 1.5 natural and explosive-controlled storm slabs were reported in the Lizard Range Wednesday where up to 10 cm of new snow fell Tuesday night.

Avalanche reports of small (size 1 to 1.5 ) human-triggered wind slabs continue to trickle in. This avalanche problem may continue while temperatures remain cold.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

10 - 15 cm of new snow being redistributed by moderate winds over various surfaces of soft faceted snow in sheltered locations and wind-affected snow in open terrain at alpine and treeline.

The mid-pack is well consolidated in the Lizard Range with a robust melt-freeze crust formed around Christmas down 70 to 90 cm deep.

Outside of the Lizard Range, snowpack depths are more shallow and faceted. In these areas, deep weak layers formed early season are still a concern, especially in steep rocky terrain features. The total snowpack depth ranges between 120 and 250 cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mainly cloudy, 2 to 3 cm new snow, 15 to 20 km/h southwest winds, treeline temperatures -4 ºC

Thursday

Cloudy, clearing in the afternoon, trace accumulations, 20 to 30 km/h southwest winds, treeline temperatures -4 ºC

Friday

Mainly cloudy, flurries starting overnight, 3 to 5 cm new snow, winds 20 to 30 km/h southwest. treeline temperatures -2 ºC.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy, morning flurries 3 to 5 cm new snow, winds 20 to 30 km/h southwest winds, treeline temperatures -2 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Variable moderate winds continue to redistribute recent snow into wind slabs at the treeline and above.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

A layer near the base of the snowpack that developed early season remains on the radar for areas of this region where the snowpack is shallow and where the melt-freeze crust formed at Christmas is not found. Deep persistent slab avalanches have not been reported in the region for some time, however, the weak snowpack structure in these shallow areas may still be triggered with a heavy load, like a cornice fall, or machine trigger.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 2nd, 2023 4:00PM