Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 31st, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
llarson,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for newly formed wind slabs from recent strong winds that may have developed further downslope at treeline and alpine elevations.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, skier and explosive triggered hard wind slabs, up to size 1, with a depth between 10 to 20 cm.
On Sunday, explosive control triggered a size 1.5 windslab in a reverse-loaded feature.
On Saturday, several wind slabs, up to size 1, were reported to be reactive to natural and human triggers.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Strong to extreme winds continue to build isolated, hard wind slabs at alpine and treeline elevations. Above 2100 m these wind slabs are building over wind-affected surfaces, below this a melt-freeze crust formed in mid-January.
The mid-snowpack continues to settle and is well consolidated. Facets exist near the base of the snowpack. Total snowpack depth ranges between 100 cm to 200 cm in wind-loaded areas.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, trace accumulations. strong to extreme westerly ridgetop winds 50-70 km/h. Treeline temperatures of -15 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, and trace accumulation. Strong westerly ridgetop winds 50 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperatures -11 °C.
ThursdayMainly cloudy, trace accumulation, strong to extreme westerly winds of 40 to 60 km/h, and treeline temperatures of -10 °C.
FridayMainly sunny. no new snow, winds weakening to moderate 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperatures rising to -3 °C
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes at and above treeline.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong westerly winds continue to redistribute snow into stubborn wind slabs at alpine and treeline elevations. Wind slabs may be particularly reactive where they overlie the mid-January crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 1st, 2023 4:00PM
