Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 7th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Dry and Wind Slabs.
CB,
Avalanche Canada
Expect loose dry sluffing of new snow in steep terrain and running fast where a crust is present.
Good skiing in the alpine rapidly deteriorate below 2000m with moist snow and rugged terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Midday on Wednesday, a cycle of natural and skier triggered loose dry avalanches were observed in the Connaught valley.
A group bootpacking a couloir on the S side of Avalanche Mtn triggered a sz 2.5-3 avalanche yesterday. Use caution in this extreme terrain, where the snowpack might be variable and weak.
Spring-like temperatures and rain last week triggered a widespread avalanche cycle. Many avalanches gouged to ground in gully features and reached the valley floor.
Snowpack Summary
15-20cm of new snow sits over a robust crust that formed during recent warm weather. This crust has been observed up to 2500.
Warm temperatures have rounded and strengthened the mid and lower snowpack.
Be prepared for challenging travel over refrozen avalanche debris and shallow snowpack hazards at and below Tree-line. The snowpack is approximately 20cm below the previous record low.
Weather Summary
Expect flurries and cooling temps over the next 3 days, with a bit of a clearing trend on Friday.
Tonight: Cloudy/flurries, Trace amounts, Alp low -9°C, light winds, Freezing Level (FZL) 900m.
Thurs: Cloudy, isolated flurries, trace amounts, Alp high -8°C, light W winds, FZL 1100m.
Fri: Sun/cloud, Alp high -12°C, light W winds, FZL 700m.
Sat: Cloudy/flurries, trace amounts, Alp high -9°C, light W winds, FZL 1000m.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Be cautious of buried obstacles especially below treeline.
Problems
Loose Dry
20-40 cm of light snow is triggerable in steep terrain. This problem is more reactive where a crust in present below the storm snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
New snow accompanied by moderate winds formed soft wind slabs on leeward and cross loaded features in the alpine and exposed Tree-line. Pay attention to changes in the snow under your feet as you transition out of sheltered terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 8th, 2024 4:00PM
