Avalog Join
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 17th, 2023–Feb 18th, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Expect avalanche hazard to rise on Sunday with incoming weather. Stay vigilant in regards to the deep persistent slab problem.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Two large avalanches noted in the Maligne and Churchill Ranges in the alpine on east facing slopes on Wednesday. No Patrol on Friday.

Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

Recent strong to extreme winds stripping exposed features and building wind slabs in the alpine and at tree line. In sheltered locations 30cm of low density snow lies over a generally weak mid and bottom snowpack with facets and depth hoar at the base. The height of snow is variable from 50 to 150cm.

Weather Summary

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: High -8 °C.

Ridge wind west: 15-35 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Sunday

Flurries.

Accumulation: 11 cm.

Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -6 °C.

Ridge wind west: 20 km/h gusting to 50 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Southwest winds have created wind slabs in the alpine and tree line.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Large natural and explosive triggered avalanches in the last couple of days have run on this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3