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
Wind slabs are becoming stubborn to trigger, anticipate slopes where wind slabs may be lingering, and don't commit to a steep slope if it feels dense or stiff.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Following a dynamic period of storm and wind slab avalanche releases, reports of avalanche activity on these layers have tapered.
Going forward we expect new wind slabs will be formed with snow available for transport and increasing winds. These new wind slabs may be triggered by riders in lee terrain features like ridges and ribs.
Snowpack Summary
The upper snowpack continues to settle and bond to previous surfaces. Wind slabs can still be found at upper elevations directly lee of terrain features like ridges.
The mid-pack is showing signs of strengthening. A surface hoar layer down roughly 60 to 80 cm has not produced avalanches recently but can still be found in isolated terrain features specifically sheltered, treeline, and upper below treeline.
The lower snowpack is composed of large and weak facets from November located near the base of the snowpack. Although this layer hasn't produced avalanches recently, it continues to guide terrain selection by professionals in the region.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Mostly clear skies, trace accumulations, with 5 to 10 km/h southwest winds, treeline temperatures -12 °C
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud, increasing overnight, 2 to 4 cm new snow, with 10 to 15 km/h southwest, treeline temperatures -10 °C.
Thursday
Mainly cloudy, 5 to 10 cm new snow, 5 to 10 km/h south winds, treeline temperatures -10 °C.
Friday
Cloudy, trace accumulation, 20 to 30 km/h southwest winds, treeline temperatures -10 °C
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Snow available for transport and increasing winds will continue to build wind slabs that may be reactive to human triggers.
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, shallow terrain. 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
