Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 4th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Steer clear of freshly wind loaded features. New snow and strong winds have loaded north and east facing terrain.
Head to sheltered and supported terrain features for the best chance of finding good riding conditions.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Wind slabs were reported throughout the region this week, with a notable remotely triggered size 1.5 failing on surface facets at treeline elevation.
Loose dry activity was reported out of steep rocky slopes on Friday.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Strong southwest winds continue redistributing snow into fresh wind slabs in alpine and treeline terrain. In the alpine wind slabs cover scoured northerly aspects. In sheltered areas, 10 to 20 cm of soft snow can be found. A surface crust can be found below 1800 m and at all elevations on steep solar aspects.
In the mid snowpack, a weak layer can be found 50 to 100 cm deep, as a decomposing crust, or in many places, it's more of a soft and weak section of the snowpack. There is a widespread weak layer of facets and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack, most concerning in the Hurley/Birkenhead areas. This layer is still a concern for step down avalanches or very large triggers (eg. cornice fall). It is most problematic in steep and rocky start zones where the snowpack varies rapidly from thick to thin.
Generally, the snowpack in this region is weak and shallow. Snowpack depths around treeline are highly variable and range between 150 to 250 cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy skies overnight with isolated flurries possible. Trace accumulations. Freezing levels sit around 1200 m, with moderate southerly winds.
Sunday
Cloudy skies with isolated flurries possible. Trace accumulations. Freezing levels sit around 1000-1500 m. Light to moderate southwest winds.
Monday
Mostly cloudy skies with up to 5 cm of snow. Strong southwest winds. Freezing levels around 1500 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy. 5-10 cm, freezing levels around 1500 m. Strong southwest winds.
Monday1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong southwesterly winds are forming new wind slabs on lee slopes in the alpine and at treeline. Watch for typical wind loading around ridgelines and be aware of mid slope cross loaded features.
Deeper weak layers have not produced avalanches for sometime, but may be possible to trigger with step down avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 5th, 2023 4:00PM
