Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 1st, 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.
llarson,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs continue to be triggered by riders in this region. Don't commit to a steep slope if the snow looks wind-affected or feels dense or stiff.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Small wind slabs size 1 to 1.5 continue to be triggered by riders in this region. Wind slabs may remain active in steep, open terrain where the winds have cross-loaded features.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 10 cm of accumulated low-density snow continues to be redistributed by variable winds in the alpine. On steep southerly aspects, snow sits above a melt-freeze crust while on northerly aspects it overlies previously wind-affected surfaces.
A surface hoar layer from early January is found down 40-80 cm. Its distribution is spotty, but can still be found in sheltered and shaded terrain features.
The lower snowpack contains weak and faceted grains. Avoid shallow, rocky areas where snowpack transitions from thick to thin and triggering weak layers is more likely.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy, clearing overnight, no new snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest winds. Treeline temperatures high -10 °C
Thursday
Partial clouds, no new snow, increasing southerly winds 15 to 25 km/h, treeline temperatures high -4 °C
FridayPartly cloudy, flurries 2 to 5 cm new snow, 10 km/h southerly winds, treeline temperatures -3 °C
SaturdayCloudy, flurries 2 to 5 cm of new snow, 10 to 20 km/h south winds, treeline temperatures -5 °C
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
5 to 10 cm of new snow accumulated over the past few days is being redistributed by variable winds at alpine elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A persistent weak layer of surface hoar is buried 50 to 70 cm down. This depth is prime for human triggering. Buried surface hoar is more likely to be preserved in terrain features protected from wind and sun effect.
The lower snowpack is comprised of weak, faceted grains and can be triggered under the right circumstances. Be especially suspicious of shallow, rocky, or cross-loaded areas with variable snow depths.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 2nd, 2023 4:00PM
