Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 2nd, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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Avoid wind slabs and find good quality riding up high on planar, wind-sheltered alpine slopes like glaciers and low angle gullies.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Over the last 3 days our field team did not observe any new avalanche activity but observed evidence of the natural cycle that occurred during the warm storm earlier in the week. In White Pass, up to size 2 avalanches were widespread at treeline and isolated in the alpine and in the Wheaton area widespread at all elevations, up to size 2.5.

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations, 10-40 cm of recent dry snow has been redistributed by shifting winds. This recent snow has been observed to be bonding well to an underlying crust, reaching up to 1500 m in White Pass and 1200 m in the Wheaton area.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Partly cloudy with a trace of snow possible. Southwest ridgetop wind 30-40 km/h. Treeline temperature around -26 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with a trace of snow possible. Southwest ridgetop wind 40-50 km/h. Treeline temperature around -20 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. Southwest ridgetop wind 50-70 km/h. Treeline temperature warming up to -10 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. South ridgetop wind 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperature around -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent winds have shifted from southwest to north back to southwest, redistributing recent storm snow into reactive wind slabs on a variety of aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2024 4:00PM