Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 5th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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Carefully assess for wind slabs as you gain elevation. Wind slabs will likely remain rider triggerable due to the underlying surfaces.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Friday a natural avalanche cycle up to size 3 took place in the south west corner of the forecast region. These avalanches failed on the late January crust.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Ongoing snowfall and southwest winds have accumulated around 40 cm of storm snow that is being blown into wind slabs. This all sits on a crust from the warming event on January 25th. New snow likely will not bond well to this crust.

The mid and lower snowpack continues to bond and stabilize. A few concerning weak layers can still be found in the top meter of the snowpack including a surface hoar layer from early January and a crust from late December.

Weather Summary

Sunday

Flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Strong southwest winds and temperatures at 1500m around -1.

Monday

Increasing cloud throughout the day with up to 10cm of new snow expected. Strong southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 1700m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5cm of new snow. Light southerly winds and freezing levels falling to valley bottom.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest winds and a high of -6 at 1500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New snow and ongoing southwest winds are forming reactive wind slabs on north and east aspects.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A number of buried weak layers remain possible to trigger. These layers appear to be most problematic in upper treeline and alpine elevations, in shallow, variable, rocky start zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 6th, 2023 4:00PM