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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 4th, 2023–Feb 5th, 2023
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
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Glacier.

Recent snow and wind have created fresh storm slabs that are sensitive to human triggering at all elevations.

Practice good group management and be aware of other people above and below you.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Today's field team found reactive storm slabs in the top 40cm of snow up to size 1 while skiing tree line and below in the Hermit area.

A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred overnight on Friday into early Saturday morning with numerous avalanches size 2-3.5 throughout the highway corridor.

On Friday skiers reported size 2 natural avalanches on the SE face of Ross Peak and Bruins Peak.

Snowpack Summary

30-60cm of accumulated storm snow and wind have formed a storm slab. Expect this slab to be deeper in wind-loaded areas.

The mid-snowpack is mainly rounded grains and strong.

The Nov 17 deep persistent layer is near the base of the snowpack and is mainly facetted with a decomposing crust in some locations.

Weather Summary

Sunday will be cloudy with isolated flurries with ~5cm of accumulation, an alpine high of -4 and 20-50km/hr Westerly winds.

5cm on Monday and 20cm on Tuesday with cooling temps and 20-55km/hr winds.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Low density storm snow, moderate/strong ridge-top winds, and warmer temperatures are creating slabs in the upper snowpack. Watch for signs of instability such as shooting cracks and recent avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer has been mainly dormant for the last few weeks, but should remain as one of your concerns when entering new terrain or large open features. Watch for steep, unsupported, thin rocky areas where this layer could be activated.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 2.5 - 4