Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 21st, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
LG,
Avalanche Canada
VERY COLD Wed/Thurs! Wind chills up to -45C. Keep days short and bring emergency layers.
Friday brings warmer temps and a return to SW wind. Evaluate fresh slabs on standard lees.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new naturals observed however poor vis today. Two significant whumps with cracking in a thin below treeline area, suspect windslab over a weakening crust and basal facets.
Thanks to all the great posts this week on the Mountain Information Network, keep it up!!!
Snowpack Summary
30-50cm storm snow since Monday with Mod-NE winds forming soft windslab in reverse loaded features at all elevations. This overlies a stiffer windslab from last week's wind events and the Mid-January crust interface that is now down 50-100 cm. Alpine and Treeline midpack is well settled and overlies basal facets and depth hoar, especially in thin areas. Below treeline, the Jan Crust overlies facets and depth hoar to ground.
Weather Summary
Wednesday
Alpine High: -28C, winds: NE 40 km/h, trace precip, sunny with some clouds
Thursday
Alp High: -30C, winds: NE 35 km/h, trace precip, sunny with some clouds
Friday
Alp High: -15C, winds: W 40 km/h, no precip, clear skies
Problems
Wind Slabs
Only isolated pockets below treeline.
Aspects: North, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Weak grains in the form of facets have developed above and below the Mid January crust. Field tests on this layer Tuesday show that it may be gaining strength, however observations have been limited and it is now buried up to 1m deep. If triggered larger avalanches may occur.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 24th, 2023 4:00PM
