Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 3rd, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
dnylen,
Avalanche Canada
A tricky persistent weak layer is keeping the avalanche hazard elevated in the alpine and will be slow to change.
The layer has been most reactive in sheltered north and northeast facing alpine terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A couple of large (size 2-3) persistent slab, human-triggered and natural avalanches have been reported within the last 7 days. Avalanches have occurred near ridgetops in north-to-northeast alpine terrain. These avalanches have shown an impressive capability to propagate across large distances. Here is a link to the most recent human-triggered size 3 avalanche.
If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
5 cm of recent snow is slowly improving riding conditions. It is resting on a variety of wind-affected surfaces and crusts with small surface hoar in places in the alpine. This new layer should be monitored closely moving forward as new snow arrives early next week.
A persistent weak layer of surface hoar and/or facets is 50-80 cm deep and exists in north facing alpine features, creating a number of scary human-triggered avalanches.
Below roughly 1700 m a widespread 5-10 cm, melt-freeze crust is present.
Weather Summary
Friday night
Cloudy. Flurries possible. Temperature -12 C overnight. Light southwest wind.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. Possible flurries. Temperature rising to -9 C in the afternoon. Wind 20 km/h from the southwest.
SundayMostly cloudy. 2cm of snow. Temperature -5C. Wind 40-50 km/h from the southwest.
MondayMostly cloudy. 2 cm of snow. Temperature -4. Wind 50 km/h from the southwest.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
- Use caution on large alpine slopes, especially around thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilities.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Persistent slabs have potential to pull back to lower angle terrain.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers have recently produced large, surprising avalanches. The most recent avalanche activity has been observed on north to northeast alpine terrain on preserved surface hoar buried 50-80 cm. Keep in mind the potential for remotely triggered avalanches and how far these large avalanches can run into flatter terrain.
Stiff slabs can pull back into flatter terrain above them. These layers will be easier to trigger where the snowpack is thin.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 4th, 2023 4:00PM
