Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2023 4:00PM

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 trettie, Avalanche Canada

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Avoid wind loaded features near ridge crests and steep roll overs.

Avoid shallow, rocky snowpack areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin and triggering the deep persistent weak layer is still possible.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday a size 1.5 natural wind slab avalanche was reported. This avalanche ran on a east aspect in the alpine.

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

Snowpack Summary

Strong southwest winds continue redistributing snow into fresh wind slabs in alpine and treeline terrain. In the alpine fresh wind slabs cover scoured northerly aspects. In sheltered areas, 10 to 20 cm of soft snow can be found. A surface crust can be found below 1800 m and at all elevations on steep solar aspects.

In the midpack, a weak layer can be found 50 to 100 cm deep, as a decomposing crust, or in many places, it's more of a soft and weak section of the snowpack. There is a widespread weak layer of facets and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack.

Generally, the snowpack in this region is weak and shallow. Snowpack depths around treeline are highly variable and range between 150 to 250 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Stormy with 5 to 10cm of new snow expected. Strong southwest winds and a low of -5 at 1700m.

Saturday

Stormy with 5 to 10cm of new snow expected at higher elevation. Moderate to strong south winds and freezing levels rising to 1500m.

Sunday

Cloudy with around 5cm of new snow expected at higher elevation. Light to moderate southwest winds and freezing levels around 1500m.

Monday

Stormy with 5 to 10cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Strong to extreme southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 1600m.

Sunday

1500 m.

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.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Strong southwesterly winds are forming new wind slabs on lee slopes in the alpine and at treeline. Avoid steep, rocky wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

A layer of large and weak facets sits near the base of the snowpack. This layer is most likely to be problematic in steep, unsupported, wind-loaded terrain or by first triggering a layer in the upper snowpack. Evidence suggests this layer may be more problematic in the Hurley and Birkenhead areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

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