Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 22nd, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
mbender,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs are the main concern. Keep in mind you may find them on a variety of aspects with winds recently switching direction.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Most recent avalanche activity has been reported as size 1-1.5 wind slabs and storm slabs in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
Recent new snow from earlier in the week has been redistributed by moderate to strong winds blowing primarily from the southwest then north and northeast.
There are two crusts with facets sitting above, which are buried in the snowpack down 60-180cm in the alpine and treeline elevation bands. These crust/facet layers have been responsible for several large avalanches in the past 2 weeks in the Brandywine and Pemberton Icefield areas.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with clear breaks. Light to moderate north east. Treeline temperature -19 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate north east and east wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud. Light northeast wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with flurries. Moderate southwest wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent new snow combined with moderate to strong winds from a variety of directions have promoted new wind slab formation on a variety of aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Two weak layers consisting of a crust with small facets above buried between 50 and 180cm deep, have been responsible for several large avalanches in the past two weeks. This problem seems to be more of an issue west of the Sea to Sky highway corridor.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 23rd, 2023 4:00PM
