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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 17th, 2023–Feb 18th, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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

Regions: Elkford East, Elkford West, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies.

Multiple vintages of lingering wind slab mean you can still find trouble if you really go looking for it. If you want to avoid the problem, seek out pockets of sheltered terrain where soft snow still exists.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

This MIN describes a small wind slab avalanche on a northeast facing slope in the upper reaches of the Coal Creek area near Fernie on February 16th.

A wind slab avalanche was reported in this MIN from Fish Bowl near Fernie on February 15th.

Snowpack Summary

For the most part, the upper snowpack has been heavily altered by the wind and, on south aspects, the sun. That being said, opportunities to avoid lingering wind slabs and find softer snow still exist in sheltered, mostly north facing terrain features.

The middle of the snowpack is well consolidated and sits on a thick crust. The bottom of the snowpack still consists of weak, sugary crystals that are slowly gaining strength in areas with a deeper snowpack.

Deep persistent slab avalanches should still be on your radar in areas outside of the Lizard Range such as the Bull River, Elkford, and the Flathead.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Cloudy. Wind from the southwest at 20 km/h. Temperature -6ËšC.

Saturday

Cloudy. 2-4 cm of new snow. Wind from the southwest 5 - 10 km/h. Temperature -7ËšC in the morning rising to near 0ËšC in the afternoon.

Sunday

A short clearing Saturday night into Sunday morning then clouding over again by noon. 5 cm of new snow in the afternoon. Wind from the 10 km/h gusting to 25 km/h. Temperature -7ËšC in the morning rising to near 0ËšC.

Monday

Cloudy. 5-10 cm of new snow. Wind from the southwest at 10 km/h. Temperature -5ËšC in the morning rising to near 0ËšC in the afternoon.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs of many vintages linger in immediate lee and cross loaded features. Avoid stiff snow on steep convex features to minimize this issue.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

A layer of faceted grains near the base of the snowpack remains on the radar for areas of this region where the snowpack is shallow and where a hard melt-freeze crust formed around Christmas does not exist. This describes most areas outside the Lizard Range such as the Bull River, Flathead, and Elkford.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5