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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 2nd, 2023–Feb 3rd, 2023
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Howson, Kitimat, Nass, Northwest Coastal, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, West Stikine.

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.

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

Saturday

Cloudy. 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.

Sunday

Scattered 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.

Avalanche 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: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2

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: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5