Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 5th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Avoid all avalanche terrain. Natural and human triggered avalanches are very likely.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
In the north of the forecast region explosive control produced storm and wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5.
We suspect a natural storm slab cycle will take place throughout the region on Monday.
Large avalanches on more deeply buried persistent weak layers are continuing to be reported.
Snowpack Summary
New storm slabs will build throughout the day adding to the 70 to 100cm of previous storm snow from the past week. This older storm snow overlies facets, a crust and various wind-affected surfaces in alpine terrain. At treeline a widespread, supportive, melt-freeze crust can be found up to 1800m and at all elevations on steep solar slopes.
The previous storm snow is not bonding well to the underlying surfaces.
The mid and lower snowpack continues to bond and stabilize while a number of buried weak layers remain a concern and have produced a few large avalanches recently.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southerly winds and a low of -2 at 1500m.
Monday
Stormy with 15 to 50cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Moderate to strong southwest winds and freezing level rising to 1300m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10cm of new snow expected. Light southerly winds and a high of -5 at 1500m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing a few centimeters. Moderate southwest winds and a high of -6 at 1500m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs will increase in size and reactivity throughout the day.
The largest and most reactive slabs will be found on north and east aspects at treeline and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A deeply buried weak layer still presents a Low Probability/High Consequence situation. New snow and wind will stress test this weakness in the snowpack. This layer would be most likely to be triggered in places where the snowpack is shallow and rocky.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 6th, 2023 4:00PM
