Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 9th, 2023 4:30PM

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

Avalanche Canada matt, Avalanche Canada

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Travel on broken trails is good, and its certainly worth getting out for the sake of getting out, but be careful if larger, untouched terrain is your goal.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No evidence of old or new avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Treeline and alpine windslabs continue to be the main avalanche concern in terms of "triggerability". They are improving with the the relatively warm temperatures, but still expect to find reactive pockets in steep and/or convex terrain. In terms of consequence, the dreaded Nov 5 facets still have a firm grip on the low probability/high consequence title. Some of our neighbours to the west have seen failures on this layer, which suggest loading is a critical factor in when this layer will fail.

Weather Summary

Sunday won't be goggle worthy either. Sun glasses with good coverage should be all you need for eye protection. On that note, winds are expected to continue over night with alpine winds of up to 80km/hr from the west. Ridge winds of 50-60km./hr. Hmmm, on second thought, if you're going high, maybe throw the goggles in just in case

Clouds will increase during the day which may stir up some light flurries. Temperatures will peak at -5 with a morning low of -10. Overall we are aren't seeing enough of a weather input to dramatically change the avalanche conditions.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Open slopes at treeline and alpine areas look plump and ready for a trigger. Low angle terrain is still key.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

Thin areas are where this layer will be easiest to trigger. Be thinking about wide propagations as the snowpack above is more cohesive than before.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 12th, 2023 4:00PM