Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 15th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Carefully assess for wind slab as you move through terrain. Be especially cautious in shallow snowpack areas.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous storm and wind slabs were triggered by explosives on Monday within the weekend's storm snow. There was also evidence of a large (size 3) naturally-triggered avalanche in a shallow snowpack area north of Smithers and east of Hazelton. It occurred at 1750 m on a northerly aspect in a cross-loaded terrain feature and stepped down to basal facets.
Looking ahead, riders could still trigger wind slabs in lee terrain features as they slowly bond to the snowpack. There is also a possibility of triggering deeper layers described in the Snowpack Summary.
Snowpack Summary
Variable snowfall amounts accumulated across the region over the weekend but most areas received around 20 cm with strong southwest wind. The wind scoured exposed terrain and formed wind slabs in lee terrain features. A sun crust can be found under this recent snow and a new but small layer of surface hoar can also be found just below the surface.
A melt-freeze crust is found about 80 cm deep. Weak faceted grains may be associated with it in shallow snowpack areas. This layer may have been the culprit for a large avalanche within the past week north of Smithers in a shallow snowpack terrain feature.
An old surface hoar layer from early January may be found about 100 to 150 cm, but there hasn't been any recent avalanche observations on it.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest wind and a low of -5 at 1500m.
Thursday
Cloudy in the morning, clearing around noon. No new snow expected. Light to moderate westerly wind and a high of -6 at 1500m.
Friday
Cloudy with up to 5cm of new snow expected. Moderate westerly winds and a high of -5 at 1500m.
Saturday
Cloudy with light flurries bringing a trace of new snow. Moderate northwest winds and a high of -4 at 1500m.
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.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Riders could trigger wind slabs in lee terrain features from recent snow and strong southwest wind. Assess for slab properties in steep and consequential terrain before committing.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
It remains possible that riders could trigger various buried layers. The most likely terrain feature to trigger them is within upper treeline and alpine elevations in shallow, rocky start zones.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 16th, 2023 4:00PM
