Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 28th, 2023 1:30PM

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

Avalanche Canada Mikey, Avalanche Canada

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The recent snow is providing good skiing in low avalanche hazard areas. Human triggering of wind slabs is still a concern. Conservative route selection is advised.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported today.

Snowpack Summary

We have had 10-15cm of recent snow that has not yet been touched by the wind. This sits on top of two generations of wind slabs: the Feb26 wind slab from this past week's wind event and the Feb. 19 wind slab which is about 30cm down. A test profile near Burstall Pass showed easy resistant planar results on the Feb 19 wind slab. The alpine is still quite variable in terms of snow depth; in deeper areas the mid-pack is strong. The November facets make up the bottom 50-70cm of the snowpack and there is anywhere from 40-110cm sitting on top of it depending on elevation. Our biggest concern is triggering the wind slab which then has a high potential to step down to the November basal layer. Good skiing can still be found in low avalanche hazard areas at all elevations. The wind slabs have slowly started to bond with the other interfaces but there is still a concern for human triggering.

Weather Summary

Wednesday will bring cloudy skies with light flurries(2cm if you round up). Temperatures in the alpine will climb to a high of -10c. Winds will start off Light from the West and increase to Strong from the West throughout the day

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.
  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

There are 2 generations of wind slabs below the recent snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The alpine is still variable in total amounts of snow but the basal layers haven't changed. The entire lower half is either facets, or depth hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2023 4:00PM