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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 13th, 2023–Feb 14th, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.

Wind slabs and the impact of sunny skies are the concerns for Tuesday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We didn't hear of any new avalanche observations on Sunday. Numerous small storm slabs released on Saturday during stormy weather.

Looking forward, human-triggered wind slab avalanches are possible in southerly slopes at higher elevations. Cornices and steep sun-exposed slopes should also be treated as suspect given the sunny skies and relatively warm air.

Snowpack Summary

Anywhere from a dusting to 10 cm of dry snow rests above a melt-freeze crust that formed during the weekend's rain. Strong to extreme northerly wind redistributed this snow into wind slabs on atypical southerly slopes.

The remainder of the snowpack is consolidated and strong.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly clear skies with no precipitation, 40 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday

Clear skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h north wind, treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing level 900 m.

Wednesday

Increasing clouds with afternoon snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, 50 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches triggered by warming or cornice fall may be large and destructive.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong northerly wind likely redistributed recent snow into wind slabs at alpine and treeline elevations. These slabs will likely exist on southerly slopes, which is atypical.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Cornices

Sunny skies and relatively warm air could increase the likelihood of triggering cornices. Also use caution on steep sun-exposed slopes where the sun could bake the snow and form loose wet activity.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3