Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 11th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
PW,
Avalanche Canada
Continued strong winds are likely to keep wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline reactive to skier/boarder traffic.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Ski hills are reporting wind slab avalanches up to size 2 with explosives control, with one stepping down to the deep persistent layer. Sunshine reported a natural cornice failure to size 2. Continued evidence of a previous natural avalanche cycle in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30cm of recent storm snow in the North (10cm in the South) of the region has been redistributed by strong winds forming widespread, reactive windslabs. Two crusts exist in the upper snowpack and the November facets remain near the base. These buried weak layers remain a concern and continue to produce avalanches. Minimal reactivity has been observed below treeline.
Weather Summary
A mix of sun and cloud with a chance of flurries through the day. Snow fall expected to start in the late afternoon or early evening with amount's up to 5cm's. Alpine highs are forecast to be between -2 and -5 degrees, with freezing levels between1500-1800m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
These slabs are sensitive and can be easily triggered by humans. In many areas these wind slabs overlay a variety of surfaces like crusts and facets. On Sunday, daytime warming/solar radiation may make this problem more sensitive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Natural and artificial avalanches are still triggering this layer, with initiation occurring in the slab or stepping down.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 12th, 2023 4:00PM
