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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2023–Feb 4th, 2023

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Long Range Mountains, Corner Brook, Gros Morne, Northern Peninsula.

New snow and extreme winds are creating very dangerous avalanche conditions.

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

We anticipate an ongoing widespread natural storm slab avalanche cycle during the storm Friday and Saturday.

Prior to this storm, recent avalanche observations have been limited to small wind slabs and cornice falls reported by our field team.

If you're heading out into the mountains, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network!

Snowpack Summary

Friday's storm and continued snow squalls through Saturday will accumulate 30-60 cm of new snow. Strong to extreme winds will redistribute the new snow into deep slabs on leeward aspects.

The mid snowpack consists of 30-100 cm of recent January snow, sitting poorly bonded to a crusty underlying lower snowpack.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Heavy snowfall tapering. Southwest winds ramping up to 80 km/h, gusts up to 110 km/h. Temperatures plunging to near-20 C.

Saturday

Post-frontal snow squalls bring 25-30 cm to high terrain over the day. Sustained cold temperatures below -15 C and strong, gusting winds 80-110 km/h through the day, easing and warming overnight.

Sunday

Flurries easing in the morning, clearing to a mix of sun and cloud in the afternoon before clouding over in the evening ahead of the next storm. Westerly wind 40-60 km/h. Temperatures rising through the day, peaking near 0 C overnight.

Monday

5-15 cm of new snow overnight, clearing to a mix of sun and cloud. Moderate westerly wind, temperatures near 0 C in the morning dropping to -10 C through the day.

Tuesday

Clear skies, light to moderate northwest wind, temperature around -10 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain free of overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.