Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 14th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
Avalanches are possible on wind-loaded features in the alpine. Carefully evaluate wind loading in terrain and investigate the bond of wind slabs to the crust below them before committing to a slope.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
There have been no new avalanches reported in the region since Wednesday. Backcountry users should expect to see evidence of a small natural avalanche cycle caused by strong solar radiation Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
10 cm of storm snow blankets the Coast Mountains. Underneath recent storm snow, a breakable freezing rain crust is found between 1100 m and 1600 m, possibly higher. Moderate variable winds are redistributing new snow into deeper pockets in lees at higher elevations.
A hard crust can now be found in sheltered, approximately 60 to 80 cm deep. The rest of the mid and lower snowpack seems strong and consolidated.
Snowpack depths are reaching 230 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Clear skies. Winds northwest switching to west 25 km/h gusting 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures -6 °C and freezing levels drop to 300 m.Â
WednesdayÂ
Partly cloudy. Winds southwest 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperatures -5 °C and freezing levels 600 m.Â
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, 5 mm accumulation. Winds southwest 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperatures -4 °C and freezing levels 700 m.Â
Overnight cloudy with flurries, 5-10 mm accumulation.
Friday
Cloudy with isolated flurries, trrace accumulation. Winds west 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures -2 °C and freezing levels 1000 m.Â
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Northerly winds are distributing available storm snow into lees on south slopes. Watch for areas that have been reverse-loaded and cross-loaded at higher elevations.
On Wednesday southwesterly winds pick up to moderate in the alpine and begin building fresh wind slabs on north and east slopes. Look for fresh windslab development as you travel into higher elevations.
Wind slabs may be sitting on a crust making them especially reactive to ridder triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 15th, 2023 4:00PM
