Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 9th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
mbender,
Avalanche Canada
Pay attention to the direction of the wind as you travel through wind exposed areas – there is a lot of snow available to build wind slabs.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday there were reports of explosives controlled windslab avalanches to size 2. As well there was a report of an explosives controlled size 2.5 persistent slab avalanche at treeline 50 cm deep running on a layer of facets sitting on a crust that formed mid January.
As the wind continues to blow the coming days, the likelihood of triggering wind slab avalanches will increase.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Parts of this region received up to 30 cm of new snow Tuesday night. This likely sits on previously formed wind slabs. A melt-freeze crust can be found below 2100m elevation band. It may be on the surface on windward slopes and buried 25 to 40 cm in lee terrain. Wind slabs may be more reactive where they sit on this crust.
The middle of the snowpack is consolidated. Weak faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack.
The average snowpack depth is 120 cm. Up to 200 cm can be found in wind-loaded areas.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Clear periods. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -8 °C.
Friday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1-3cm. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 ºC. Freezing level rising to 1400m.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 ºC. Freezing level rising to 1400m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. moderate west and southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -2°C. Freezing level around 1700m.
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.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snow and moderate winds have built new wind slabs over older wind slabs. Expect these slabs to be most reactive in leeward terrain like ridgetops and cross-loaded features, and where a firm bed surface exists.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 10th, 2023 4:00PM
