Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 7th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
***UPDATED***
Expect reactive storm slabs and be cautious of loose wet avalanches at lower elevations.
Watch for instability as you transition in exposed terrain as you seek out the best snow above the rain-snow line.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity reported in the last 36 hours.
A large storm slab avalanche was reported on the 5th in the Tetrahedron. We anticipate more of these types of avalanches are likely to occur due to this last storm.
There is potential for deep storm slabs and wind slabs to slide on a buried crust, producing large and destructive avalanches.
Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network, the information is very helpful to forecasters.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate southerly winds will have redistributed 40 to 50 cm of recent storm snow creating wind slabs in the immediate lee of features. A hard crust can now be found in sheltered, approximately 60 to 80 cm deep. Snowpack tests have shown a poor bond between the crust and overlying snow. The middle and lower snowpack is strong and bonded.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy, snow ending in the day with trace accumulation overnight, wind southwest 35 to 40 km/h, treeline temperatures -5 C.
Wednesday
Mainly sunny, no accumulation, wind southwest 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperatures -5 C.
Thursday
Cloudy, 30 to 15 cm accumulation at higher elevations over the 24-hour period rain below 1400 m, wind southerly 50 km/h gusting to 75, treeline temperatures at 1 C.
Friday
Cloudy, up to 20 cm accumulation at a higher elevation with rain below 700 m, wind southerly 35 km/h, treeline temperatures -4 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Good day to make conservative terrain choices.
- Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow combine with southerly winds and warm temperatures will likely keep the storm slab problem reactive to rider traffic.
Slabs may slide easily on an underlying crust. Winds have redistributed new snow into deep pockets in lees, watch for an increase in slab properties and reactivity.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
A rain saturates the upper snowpack at lower elevations, loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 8th, 2023 4:00PM
