Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 4th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada wlewis, Avalanche Canada

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Seek out sheltered simple terrain for the best riding conditions. Storm snow on steep slopes and wind affected features may remain reactive to human triggers.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No significant avalanches have been reported in the last few days however backcountry users should expect to see evidence of a natural avalanche cycle within the storm this weekend.

Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network, the information is very helpful to forecasters.

Snowpack Summary

Expect up to 40 cm of storm snow at higher elevations by Sunday morning. At lower elevations this may have fallen as mixed precipitation or rain. Storm snow sits on a widespread melt-freeze crust. The crust varies in thickness from thick and supportive to thin and breakable. The middle and lower snowpack is strong and bonded.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy skies overnight with light accumulations expected, 5-10 cm. Freezing levels sit around 1000 m, with moderate southerly winds.

Sunday

Cloudy skies with flurries, up to 5cm of snow expected. Freezing levels sit around 1000-1500 m, with southerly winds easing to light northwesterlies.

Monday

Mostly cloudy skies. Moderate snowfall returns, up to 25 cm. Strong west/southwest winds. Freezing levels around 1500 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy. Heavy snowfall delivers over 50 cm, with strong southwest winds. Freezing levels around 1000 m.

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.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Storm snow sits above a hard melt freeze crust, which may take time to bond. Back off steep slopes until they've had time to stabilize. Be especially cautious where winds have redistributed snow into deep pockets in lees, watch for an increase in slab properties and reactivity.

At lower elevations precipitation may fall as wet snow or rain, watch for loose wet avalanche potential on steep slopes as the surface snow loses cohesion.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 5th, 2023 4:00PM