Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 4th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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Carefully assess for wind slabs as you gain elevation. Wind slabs will likely remain rider triggerable due to the underlying surfaces.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few new small natural and human triggered wind slab and loose dry avalanches have been reported in the region over the past couple days.

Larger avalanches on more deeply buried persistent weak layers were reported last week during a warm spell, like this one in the Telkwa area . Persistent problems like this one will be slow to change and improve.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Ongoing snowfall over recent days has accumulated around 40 cm of fresh snow that is being blown into wind slabs by southwest winds. This all sits on a crust from the warming event on January 25th. New snow likely will not bond well to this crust.

The mid and lower snowpack continues to bond and stabilize. A few concerning weak layers can still be found in the top meter of the snowpack including a surface hoar layer from early January and a crust from late December.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

light flurries bringing a few centimeters of new snow. Moderate to strong southerly winds and a above freezing layer around 1500m.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Moderate to strong westerly winds and temperatures at 1500m around -3.

Monday

Increasing cloud throughout the day with up to 5cm of new snow expected. Strong southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 1800m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light variable winds and freezing levels falling to valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New snow has been blown into wind slabs in lee and cross loaded features. Use caution in wind affected terrain and monitor for stiff snow, drum-like sounds and/or shooting cracks.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A number of buried weak layers remain possible to trigger. These layers appear to be most problematic in upper treeline and alpine elevations, in shallow, variable, rocky start zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 5th, 2023 4:00PM