Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 9th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
mbender,
Avalanche Canada
Pay attention to the direction of the wind as you travel through wind exposed areas – there is a lot of snow available to build wind slabs.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Wednedasy there was a report of a size 2-2.5 wind slab avalanche at 2100m which started just below ridgetop. As well there were a few explosives controlled avalanches size 1.5-2 on northerly aspects at 2000-2100m approximately.
This MIN on Wednesday outlines a size 1-1.5 skier triggered avalanche where a storm slab ran on a crust.
On Tuesday there were a few reports of skier triggered storm slab avalanches to size 1 and 1.5. As well, there were explosives controlled avalanches to size 1.5 and 2.5 on southerly aspects between 1900 and 2100m.
Snowpack Summary
20-30 cm of new snow is being redistributed by southwest winds and sits on top of previously formed wind slabs in exposed terrain.
In terrain sheltered from the wind, small surface hoar crystals may be found 50-90 cm from the surface. At a similar depth, you may also find a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes and below 1900 m.
Deeper weak layers in the snowpack have not recently produced avalanches, but they may become reactive again if there is a rapid change in the weather.
The lower snowpack contains weak and faceted grains.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Clear periods. Moderate south and southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -6 °C.
Friday
Mainly cloudy. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -4 ºC. Freezing level rising to 1200m.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks. Light to moderate northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -3 ºC. Freezing level rising to 1400m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -6 °C. Freezing level around 1000m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
20-30cm of recent new snow is being redistributed into lee terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 10th, 2023 4:00PM
