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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2023–Feb 4th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Avoid wind loaded features near ridge crests and steep roll overs.

Avoid shallow, rocky snowpack areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin and triggering the deep persistent weak layer is still possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday a size 1.5 natural wind slab avalanche was reported. This avalanche ran on a east aspect in the alpine.

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 fresh 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 midpack, 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.

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

Friday Night

Stormy with 5 to 10cm of new snow expected. Strong southwest winds and a low of -5 at 1700m.

Saturday

Stormy with 5 to 10cm of new snow expected at higher elevation. Moderate to strong south winds and freezing levels rising to 1500m.

Sunday

Cloudy with around 5cm of new snow expected at higher elevation. Light to moderate southwest winds and freezing levels around 1500m.

Monday

Stormy with 5 to 10cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Strong to extreme southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 1600m.

Sunday

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.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.