Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 27th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs should be expected on most aspects at higher elevations.
Solar input is expected to increase today and where present the avalanche hazard will increase as well.
Seek out low-angle sheltered areas and minimize sun-exposed slopes at the height of the day.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Observations from this past weekend report of natural and skier triggered storm slabs and wind slabs up to size 2.
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Snowpack Summary
Up to 60 cm of low-density snow will have fallen in our region by Monday morning. Variable winds have and will continue to redistribute this snow so expect to find wind slabs on all aspects.
A crust that formed at the start of this past week can be found 35 to 45 cm down in sheltered areas. This crust is widespread and is expected to exist all the way to mountaintops. New snow and new wind slabs are not bonding well to the crust.
The lower snowpack contains a number of crusts but they are not a factor at the moment. It is consolidated and well-settled.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy, up to 5 cm accumulation in some locations, winds variable 15 km/h, treeline temperatures -8 ºC.
Tuesday
Sunny by lunchtime, no accumulation, winds northwest 20 km/h, treeline temperatures -5 ºC.
Wednesday
Increasing clouds, no accumulation, winds west switching to southwest 15 km/h increasing to 30, treeline temperatures hovering around -3 to 7 ºC.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy, up to 15 cm starting in the early morning hours, winds west 23 to 35 km/h and gusting to 60, treeline temperatures -2 to -8 ºC.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
This past weekend's storm brought low-density snow and moderate to strong southerly winds to our region. Wind slabs should be expected to overlay a widespread thick crust making them primed to react to human triggering.
Where present, solar effect could increase the avalanche hazard
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 28th, 2023 4:00PM
