Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 9th, 2023–Feb 10th, 2023

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, Tetrahedron.

Heavy precipitation and warm temperatures are forecasted for our region on Friday.

Back off and use a conservative mindset if you see slab formation and reactivity.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, skiers controlled triggered two wet loose avalanches. There was also a report of an accidentally triggered storm slab avalanche with no involvement.

A large storm slab avalanche was reported on the 5th in the Tetrahedron. We anticipate more of these types of avalanches are likely to occur due to this last storm.

There is potential for deep storm slabs and wind slabs to slide on a buried crust, producing large and destructive avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate southerly winds will have redistributed the up to 70 cm that has fallen this week. Southerly winds have redistributed this snow into wind slabs at higher elevations. Expect to see moist or wet snow

A hard crust can now be found in sheltered, approximately 60 to 80 cm deep. The rest of the mid and lower snowpack seems strong and consolidated.

Snowpack depths are reaching 230 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with late-day sunny periods, up to 5 cm accumulation in the morning, and more snow starting later in the evening at higher elevations, winds southerly 65 km/h, treeline temperatures at 2 C, and cooling.

Friday

Cloudy, up to 25 cm accumulation at a higher elevation throughout the 24-hour period, winds southerly 40 km/h, treeline temperatures -3 C.

Saturday

Cloudy, trace accumulation, winds southwest 25 to 30 km/h, treeline temperatures - 5 C.

Sunday

Cloudy, up to 8 cm accumulation with rain at lower elevations, winds southwest 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperatures -2 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Good day to make conservative terrain choices.
Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.