Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 21st, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
jsmith,
Avalanche Canada
Up to 30 cm of recent snow and wind have formed reactive storm slabs at all elevations. The recent snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar in sheltered locations and a suncrust on steep south facing slopes.
Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Several naturally triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on Monday.
Recently formed storm slabs will likely remain reactive to human triggers; especially in open areas where the wind has stiffened the snow.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30 cm of recent snow and southwest to northwesterly wind have formed reactive storm slabs at all elevations. The recent snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar in sheltered locations and a suncrust on steep south facing slopes. These weak layers may cause the storm slabs to continue to be reactive to human triggers in many locations.
A slightly older layer of large surface hoar may be found down roughly 50-70 cm below the old snow surface.
The middle of the snowpack is generally well consolidated and stiff but does contain some old persistent weak layers. These layers have not produced avalanches in quite a long time and are not currently a concern unlike neighboring regions to the north, but could wake up with significant storm loading or warming.
The lower snowpack consists of a layer of weak, sugary crystals that is slowly gaining strength and doesn't currently appear to present the same problem as neighboring regions to the north and east. However, we continue to track the layer and watch for any signs that it might wake up and produce very large avalanches.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Cloudy / Light, east ridgetop wind / Low temperature at treeline around -22 C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud / Light, southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -12 C.
Thursday
Sunny / Strong, east ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -18 C.
Friday
Sunny / Strong, west ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -12 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
- Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
- Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Up to 30 cm of recent snow and southwest to northwesterly wind have formed reactive storm slabs at all elevations. The recent snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar in sheltered locations and a suncrust on steep south facing slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 22nd, 2023 4:00PM
