Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 1st, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Keep an eye on the snow surface as you travel through the mountains.
When the snow surface is wet or moist avalanches will be more likely.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
The natural avalanche cycle observed on the weekend and earlier in the week, due to the warming event, has slowed down. However there were still reports of a few wet slab or persistent slab avalanches to size 2-2.5 being reported Tuesday and Wednesday.
Until the snowpack gets re-frozen by cold temperatures, human-triggered avalanches remain possible.
Snowpack Summary
A new surface crust exists at treeline extending up to mountain tops or near mountain tops, This crust will likely break down during the day at treeline. Below treeline the snow surface is wet or moist.
The top 50 cm at treeline is moist with several layers of crusts and facets below.
At the base of the snowpack, weak faceted grains and depth hoar are present.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
A mix of cloud and clear skies with trace amounts of new snow, southeast alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, freezing level falling to 1300 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected in the alpine, southwest alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h, freezing level rising to 2100 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow expected, northeast alpine wind 15 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -4°C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow expected, variable alpine winds 10 to 15 km/h, treeline temperature -6°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, or solar radiation is strong.
- Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
- 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
Persistent Slabs
Multiple weak layers in the top meter of the snowpack remain a concern.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
If triggered, this problem will likely be the full depth of the snowpack and could run below treeline. Avoid shallow, rocky start zones.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanche activity can be expected from steep terrain when the snow surface is moist or wet. These avalanches could entrain significant mass and gouge to ground in shallow snowpack areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 2nd, 2024 4:00PM
