Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 8th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada rgoddard, Avalanche Canada

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Recent 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

An icon showing 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

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 9th, 2023 4:00PM

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