Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 24th, 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.

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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Stormy conditions return to the region, which will form new slabs in wind-exposed terrain over the day.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Thursday. Earlier in the week there was evidence of deep persistent slab activity that likely occurred during stormy conditions. Riders should continue to avoid steep, thin, rocky slopes, particularly near alpine ridgelines.

Looking forward, we anticipate that new wind slabs will form over the day on Saturday, which could be human triggered.

Snowpack Summary

New snow on Saturday will fall with strong southwest wind, forming new wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain. The snow will overly wind slabs that formed between Tuesday and Friday from strong northeast wind. This means that wind slabs may be found on all aspects.

The middle of the snowpack is generally strong.

A weak layer of large and weak facets is found near the base of the snowpack. The layer is currently dormant, except perhaps in very steep alpine terrain that is inherently shallow. Riders should continue to avoid thin, rocky terrain where the likelihood of triggering this layer is increased.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 40 km/h west wind, treeline temperature - 20 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm with local enhancement possible, 40 to 50 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -14 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, 20 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -14 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 20 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -15 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New wind slabs will form as stormy conditions impact the region on Saturday. These slabs will overly previously formed wind slabs from varying wind directions, meaning human-triggering is possible on all aspects in wind-exposed terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Feb 25th, 2023 4:00PM