Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 13th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.
mconlan,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs and the impact of sunny skies are the concerns for Tuesday.
Summary
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.
WednesdayIncreasing clouds with afternoon snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 °C.
ThursdayCloudy 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.
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 14th, 2023 4:00PM
