Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 18th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
rbuhler,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs are expected to remain sensitive to human triggering, especially in the south of the region. Seek out sheltered terrain to avoid the problem and for better riding opportunities in softer snow.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, ski cutting was triggering size 1 loose dry avalanches in the south of the region.
With ongoing wind, wind slabs are expected to remain reactive to human triggering, especially in the south of the region where the most new snow has accumulated in the past few days.
Snowpack Summary
Ongoing wind continues to redistribute any available loose snow into wind slabs in exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. Windward slopes may be heavily scoured in exposed features. A thin sun crust might be found on steep south aspects. Sheltered areas or areas where the wind has "sifted" the powder are still offering decent riding.
The middle of the snowpack is firm and well-consolidated. Weak faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack but have not yet created a major problem like some of the neighbouring regions. However, we continue to track this layer and may see a problem develop as more snow accumulates above it.
The average snowpack depth is around 130 cm while up to 200 cm can be found in wind-loaded areas.
Weather Summary
Saturday night
Partly cloudy, possibly clearing by morning, light to moderate W-NW wind, treeline low around -12 ËšC.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud in the morning, mainly cloudy in the afternoon, moderate to strong SW-W wind, treeline high around -5 ËšC.
Monday
Light snowfall beginning overnight 10-20 cm, moderate to strong SW-W wind, easing in the afternoon, treeline high around -6 ËšC.
Tuesday
Snowfall 15-25 cm overnight with another 5-10 cm during the day, moderate to strong SW wind switching to NE by the end of the day, treeline temperature dropping to around -20 ËšC.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
For most of the northern part of the region, we are likely running out of snow to be transported into wind slabs at this point. However, older wind slabs can still offer a surprise if they are sitting on weaker snow.
In the south of the region where more recent snowfall has accumulated, newer wind slabs may be more reactive to human triggering. Watch for signs of ongoing or recently wind-transported snow and use extra caution in leeward terrain features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 19th, 2023 4:00PM
