Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 20th, 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.
mbender,
Avalanche Canada
Overnight snowfall amounts Monday are uncertain. That being said, wind slabs will be the main concern as moderate to strong winds are expected to blow in the alpine and treeline.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Most recent reports indicate wind slab avalanche activity to size 1 and 1.5 in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
Recent new snow accumulation is being redistributed by moderate southwest winds.
A melt-freeze crust from late January can found down 60-80 cm. At the moment this layer appears to be gaining strength though in isolated areas small facets can still found above the crust.
There is a widespread weak layer of large sugary of facets at the bottom of the snowpack. . Snowpack depths around treeline range between 150 to 250 cm.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy with flurries, accumulation 5-15cm. Wind moderate to strong southwest. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1-3cm. Wind light to moderate northeast. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level 500 m.
Wednesday
Mainly cloudy. Wind light to moderate east and northeast. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud. Wind moderate northeast wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent new snow combined with moderate wind from a variety of directions has promoted new wind slab formation on a variety of aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A layer weak facets sits near the base of the snowpack. This layer is most likely to be problematic in steep, unsupported, wind-loaded terrain in the northern part of the region (Hurley).
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 21st, 2023 4:00PM
