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 and Deep Persistent Slabs.
llarson,
Avalanche Canada
New snow and variable winds will continue to build wind slabs in open terrain features. Seek out sheltered areas to avoid the hazard and enjoy softer snow.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported in the area. Please continue to submit your observations to the MIN.
Looking forward, wind slabs formed by the recent snow and variable winds are expected to remain reactive to human triggering.
Snowpack Summary
Roughly 10 to 40 cm of recent new snow accumulated over the past few days has been redistributed by variable winds in open terrain. New wind slabs are built over old wind slabs and can be found directly lee of ridges at alpine and treeline elevations.
The snowpack in this area is generally shallow. total snow depth 200 cm at treeline. A layer at the base of the snowpack, composed of large and weak facets formed in November is widespread and most likely triggerable in steep, rocky alpine terrain.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Clearing overnight, trace accumulations, 40 to 50 km/h westerly winds, treeline temperatures -10 °C.
Wednesday
Becoming cloudy, trace accumulations, 40 to 50 km/h southwest winds, treeline temperatures around -8 °C.
Thursday
Increasing cloud, 2 to 5 cm new snow, 40 to 50 km/h southwest winds, treeline temperatures around -7 °C
Friday
Mainly cloudy, scattered flurries, 40 to 50 km/h southwest winds, treeline temperatures -10 °C
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Roughly 10 to 40 cm of recent snow will continue to be redistributed by variable winds further developing wind slabs. Approach all lee and cross-loaded terrain with caution.
Keep in mind that larger wind slab releases have the potential to step down to the weak basal snowpack, resulting in very large and consequential avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A layer of large and weak facets sits near the base of the snowpack. This layer is most prominent in upper treeline and alpine elevations. Riders are most likely to trigger an avalanche on this layer in steep terrain where the snowpack is shallow. Your best defence is to stay diligent in choosing low-consequence terrain away from overhead exposure.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 15th, 2023 4:00PM
