Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 10th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada ejones, Avalanche Canada

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Choose mellow terrain and constantly assess the bond of the new snow to the old surface.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A small (size 1) slab was triggered remotely on Saturday, running far on the buried weak crystals and melt-freeze crust. These riders felt a whumpf when approaching the steep slope.

On Sunday we expect slabs will remain reactive to human-triggering. Watch for deeper, touchier deposits in wind-affected terrain, especially as winds increase in the afternoon.

If you do go into the backcountry, please submit a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

In most areas, 15 to 30 cm of new snow has buried a layer of weak, feathery crystals. Expect this new snow to have formed reactive slabs.

New snow covers firm surfaces from wind in wind-affected areas or 10 to 30 cm of settled dry snow in sheltered areas. Below this, there is a thick and hard melt-freeze crust extending up to approximately 1700 m. The crust was at the snow surface at lower elevations.

The middle of the snowpack may contain old, weak faceted layers and hard crusts, which do not currently present a concern.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

A few clouds. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday

A few clouds. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind, increasing to 30 to 40km/h northwest in the afternoon. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Cloudy. 40 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy. 40 to 50 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 500 m, with warm air aloft between 1500 m and 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Reactive slabs exist. Slabs will likely be deeper and easier to trigger in wind-affected terrain. With recent shifting winds, be sure to assess all slopes for slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 11th, 2024 4:00PM