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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 1st, 2023–Feb 2nd, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, St. Mary, Ymir.

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.

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

Friday

Partly cloudy, flurries 2 to 5 cm new snow, 10 km/h southerly winds, treeline temperatures -3 °C

Saturday

Cloudy, 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.

Avalanche 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: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

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: Unlikely

Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5