Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 16th, 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.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Carefully assess for wind slab as you move through terrain. Be especially cautious in shallow snowpack areas.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported yesterday.
Over the past few weeks Deep persistent slab avalanches have been observed in very shallow and rocky terrain. While triggering an avalanche on a deep layer is unlikely it would be very consequential.
Snowpack Summary
another 5 to 15cm of snow has fallen with moderate to strong southerly winds. This most recent snow has buried a variety of surfaces including small surface hoar and old wind effected surfaces. windward slopes are generally scoured or pressed with wind slab found on north and east aspects.
Several layers of facets, crusts or surface hoar can be found in the top 1.5 meters of the snowpack.
In shallow snowpack areas layers of facets from November and December are near the bottom of the snowpack and have likely been responsible for some large avalanches.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow expected. Light to moderate westerly wind and a low of -6 at 1500m.
Friday
Cloudy with up to 10cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong westerly winds and a high of -5 at 1500m.
Saturday
Cloudy with up to 10cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong northwest winds and a high of -4 at 1500m.
Sunday
Cloudy with up to 10cm of new snow expected. Strong westerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1500m.
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.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Ongoing south through west winds have formed wind slab on north and east aspects at treeline and above.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Over the past few weeks we have recieved reports of large deep persistent slab avalanches. Triggering an avalanche on deeply buried facets is unlikely but very consequential. Avoid shallow, steep and rocky start zones at treeline and above where triggering a deep persistent slab could be possible.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 17th, 2023 4:00PM
