Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 2nd, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
dnylen,
Avalanche Canada
New snow and wind will create dangerous conditions in the alpine and in the trees. Wind loaded or steep terrain can produce large avalanches at all elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few small wind slab avalanches have been reported across the region.
Large avalanches on more deeply buried persistent weak layers are continuing to be reported.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 50 cm of new snow overlays various wind-affected surfaces in alpine terrain and a widespread, supportive, melt-freeze crusts at lower elevations (roughly 1900 m and below). Much of this new snow is being blown into thick wind slab by southwest winds.
The mid and lower snowpack continues to bond and stabilize while a number of buried weak layers remain a concern and have produced a few large avalanches recently.
Weather Summary
Thursday nightCloudy. 10-15 cm of new snow. Wind from the southwest at 30-50 km/h. Temperature -1° C.
Friday
Cloudy. 5-10 cm of new snow. Wind from the southwest at 30-40 km/h up to 60 km/h in the alpine . Temperature up to 0° C in the alpine with freezing levels to 800 m
SaturdayCloudy. 5-10 cm of new snow. Wind from the south at 30-40 km/h. Temperature up to 0° C in the alpine with freezing levels to 800 m.
SundayScattered clouds. Up to 5 cm of new snow. Wind from the west at 30 km/h. Temperature up to 0° C with freezing levels coming up to 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Storm Slabs
As the storm continues through the week and temperatures rise, the storm slab will thicken. Southwesterly 30 - 50 km/h winds will create new thicker slabs in lee features, that will be most reactive to triggering as they are being formed over the nest few days.
The slab will take time to bond to the layers below it.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A more deeply buried weak layer still presents a Low Probability/High Consequence situation. New snow and wind will stress test this weakness in the snowpack. This layer would be most easily triggered in places where the snowpack is shallow and rocky.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2023 4:00PM
