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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 7th, 2023–Feb 8th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard.

There is uncertainty with snowfall amounts Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Regardless, new snow combined with wind will likely increase the likelihood of triggering storm and wind slabs in the alpine and treeline.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday there were reports of windslab avalanches in the alpine and tree line to size 1.5 and loose dry avalanches from steep terrain to size 1. There was also a MIN report of two size 2-2.5 cornice triggered avalanches in the alpine.

On Saturday, east of Fernie, a couple of small to large natural and rider triggered avalanches were reported that involved cornices. See the MIN report for more information.

Looking forward, fresh storm slabs may be reactive to the weight of a rider earlier from snow accumulating through Tuesday night.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 30 cm of new snow is likely being redistributed by moderate to strong west and southwest winds. This overlies previously formed wind slabs and/or a melt-freeze crust below 1900m.

The mid-pack is consolidated in the Lizard Range with a 10-20cm thick frozen crust buried 70 to 90 cm.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mainly cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10-20cm. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind, trending to strong at higher elevations. Treeline temperature around -5 ºC.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulation 3-5cm. Moderate west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -3 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -3 °C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with flurries. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -3 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.