Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 4th, 2023–Feb 5th, 2023

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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

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: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.

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.

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.

Monday

1500 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.

Avalanche 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: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2