Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 30th, 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.
isnowsell,
Avalanche Canada
Continually monitor the changing weather and snowpack conditions over the next few days. New snow may take some time to bond to the underlying layers.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Backcountry users continue to report evidence of a significant avalanche cycle during the recent warm, wet, and windy weather last week. The majority of these avalanches were wind slabs, however, a number of avalanches stepped down to buried persistent layers, creating large, scary avalanches, like this one in the Telkwa area from Friday.
If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
New low-density snow overlays various wind-affected surfaces throughout the alpine and widespread, supportive, melt-freeze crusts at lower elevations (roughly 1900 m and below).
The mid and lower snowpack continues to bond and stabilize while a number of buried weak layers remain a concern and have produced a number of large recent avalanches.
Weather Summary
Monday night
Cloudy with flurries, 0 to 5 cm. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C. Strong west alpine winds.
Tuesday
Cloudy with flurries, 2 to 5 cm. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C. Moderate to strong southwest alpine winds.
Wednesday
Cloudy with snow, 5 to 10 cm. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C. Moderate southwest alpine winds.
Thursday
Cloudy with flurries, 2 to 5 cm. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C. Strong southwest winds.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
As new snow and westerly alpine winds arrive through the day expect soft slab development in exposed features, near ridges and high points. New wind slabs may overlay potentially weak layers or surface hoar, facets and/or crusts.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A number of buried weak layers remain possible to trigger. These layers appear to be most problematic in upper treeline and alpine elevations, in shallow, variable, rocky start zones.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 31st, 2023 4:00PM
