Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 8th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Storm Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeRecent storm snow has been redistributed by moderate southwest winds.
Seek out the best riding in low-angle terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
There have been a number of avalanches observed in our region yesterday. These were caused by storm slabs and ranged in size 1 to 2. They were caused by skiers triggering them accidentally and remotely. A party also reported that they could hear a number of avalanches from Keith's Hut on Tuesday.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 50 cm of recent storm snow is now sitting in sheltered areas. At higher elevations and in exposed areas, this new snow has been redistributed by southerly winds.
Fresh wind slabs will be found laying onto older wind slabs while in sheltered areas, storm snow will be resting on 15 to 25 cm of soft snow. A crust may be found in the upper snowpack on steep solar aspects and below 1800 m.
A weak layer of faceted snow or decomposing crust can be found buried 70 to 100 cm deep.
Generally, the snowpack in this region is weak and shallow with sugary snow near the base. Snowpack depths around treeline range between 150 to 250 cm.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, trace accumulation focused mostly in the north, winds southwest 12 to 18 km/h, treeline temperatures -9 C.
Thursday
Cloudy with sunny breaks late in the day, up to 5 cm accumulation, winds south 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperatures around -5 C, and warming.
Friday
Cloudy, up to 10 cm accumulation, winds southwest 16 to 28 km/h, treeline temperatures -4 C with freezing level cling to 1400 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy, 3 cm accumulation, winds southwest 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperatures -7 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.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Recent storm snow will have increase the chance of storm slab avalanches.
New snow and strong southwesterly winds may have formed fresh wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. Watch for typical wind loading around ridgelines and convexities and be aware of mid-slope cross loaded features.
Deeper weak layers have not produced avalanches for sometime, but may be possible to trigger with step down avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 9th, 2023 4:00PM