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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 31st, 2023–Feb 1st, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Watch for unstable slabs on steep wind-affected slopes.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No significant avalanches were reported over the last few days. The last notable avalanche activity was at the end of last week, when several wind slabs avalanches were reported during a period of northerly wind. Riders should continue to be cautious around isolated pockets of wind slabs at treeline and alpine elevations.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 15 cm of new snow is falling on a mix of crusts and hard wind-affected snow. Recent northerly outflow winds affected open areas in the alpine and treeline, souring windward slopes and creating pockets of stiff wind slabs in lee areas. A thin breakable crust can be found at or near the surface on all aspects at treeline and above. This crust is thick and supportive below treeline and on steep solar aspects.

A crust from mid-January can be found down 40 to 70 cm deep. A number of weak layers exist within the middle and lower snowpack, but the thick crusts sitting above them make triggering avalanches on these layers unlikely. The areas of concern in terms of triggering a deeper layer are shallow rocky areas.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Overnight flurries with 5 cm of snow around Squamish/Whistler and 10 cm around Powell River, 30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -8 ËšC.

Wednesday 

Flurries continue through the morning with another 3 to 5 cm of snow, cloudy in the afternoon, 30 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures warm to -5 ËšC.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with some sunny breaks, no precipitation, 30 to 50 km/h south wind, treeline temperatures warm to -3 ËšC.

Friday

Stormy with 20 to 30 cm of new snow, 40 to 70 km/h south wind, treeline temperatures warm to -3 ËšC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs avalanches are possible in alpine terrain and along ridges. With the incoming weather expect new wind slabs to form on north and east facing slopes, while previous outflow winds have left stiff wind slabs on south and west facing slopes. These slabs may be more reactive where they overlie a hard crust layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2