Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 2nd, 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.
mconlan,
Avalanche Canada
Expect the wind to continue to build wind slabs and grown cornices at higher elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Riders and explosives continue to trigger small (size 1 to 1.5) loose dry and wind slabs within the recent storm snow. Wind slabs may remain active in steep lee and cross-loaded terrain at higher elevations.
Continue to avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin, as these are the most likely areas to trigger deep weak layers.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 10 cm of recent soft snow has been blown into wind slabs in cross-loaded and lee terrain features from sustained southwest wind. This snow rests on small surface hoar crystals in wind-sheltered terrain. The surface hoar rests on previously wind-affected snow at higher elevations, faceted soft snow in wind-sheltered terrain, and a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes and below approximately 1800 m.
A surface hoar layer buried in early January is 40 to 80 cm deep. Its distribution is spotty, but it can still be found in wind-sheltered and shaded terrain features.
The lower snowpack contains weak and faceted grains.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy with no precipitation, 20 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, 20 to 30 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -4 °C.
SaturdayCloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -5 °C, freezing level 1000 m.
SundayCloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 20 km/h west wind, treeline temperature -4 °C, freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Riders could trigger small wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridges due to recent snow and variable wind.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of surface hoar is buried around 40 to 80 cm. It is most likely preserved in open trees in terrain protected from wind and sun effects.
The lower snowpack is comprised of weak, faceted grains that could be triggered in shallow, rocky terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2023 4:00PM
