Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 10th, 2023–Feb 11th, 2023

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.

Watch for reactive pockets where dry snow is moved by the wind.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the region.

Snowpack Summary

Sun and warm temperatures quickly encouraged 20 cm accumulated by Friday morning to settle. This covered moist snow above 1300 m and a new breakable crust below this elevation, a result of rain-then-snow over the course of the storm. This rain saturated as much as 70 cm that accumulated above 700 m from the previous storm pulse at the end of last week.

These upper snowpack characteristics top a melt-freeze crust that is now likely breaking down where it was thinnest. The crust was previously up to 10 cm thick at lower elevations and tapered to 1 cm thick on shaded or high-elevation terrain. A few cm of softer snow recently found immediately below this crust is almost certainly now settled and bonded along with the remainder of the snowpack beneath it.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Cloudy and unsettled with isolated flurries. West-northwest wind easing to light. Treeline low temperature -6 C.

Saturday

Cloudy and unsettled. West wind increasing to 30-40 km/hr. Treeline high temperature -3 C.

Sunday

Flurries and rain, 5mm. West wind 50-70 km/hr. Treeline high temperature +2 C. Freezing level rising above 2000 m.

Monday

Rain, 5-15 mm. Gusty and strong northwest winds. Treeline high temperature +4 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind or rain.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

At upper elevations, forecast wind will quickly find remaining dry snow in steep, open, and alpine-like features. Be most suspicious of deeper, loaded pockets around sharp changes in terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5