Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 23rd, 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.
isnowsell,
Avalanche Canada
Sustained strong, easterly winds have created wind slabs in exposed terrain on all aspects and elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday a number of storm slab and wind slab avalanches were triggered with explosives and ski cutting, up to size 2 on various aspects and elevations.
A natural avalanche cycle occurred during stormy weather on Tuesday, with numerous storm slab releases up to size 2.5.
Snowpack Summary
Recent snow continues to be redistributed by strong north to east winds at all elevations and has formed wind slabs throughout wind-exposed terrain.
The mid-snowpack is generally well settled, with no current layers of concern.
The bottom of the snowpack consists of weak, sugary, basal facets and a crust.
Weather Summary
Thursday night
Mostly clear / Moderate northeast ridgetop winds, shifting from the southwest by Friday morning / Treeline temperatures -25 to -30 C.
Friday
Mostly sunny / Light southwest ridgetop winds / Treeline temperatures -25 C, warming to -15 C by the end of the day.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud / Moderate southwest ridgetop winds / Treeline temperatures -10 to -25 C.
Sunday
Cloudy, with snow beginning late in the day / Moderate southwest ridgetop winds / Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.
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.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent strong north to east winds have redistributed the new snow into windslabs in exposed terrain at all elevations and aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A layer of large, weak basal facets exists and remains a primary concern in shallow snowpack areas, with variable snow depths.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 24th, 2023 4:00PM
