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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 28th, 2021–Mar 1st, 2021

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

Regions

South Coast.

Windy weather is forecast with passage of a cold front on Monday. Recent snow sits over a hard crust and can be most likely triggered in areas of freshly wind deposited snow.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: Light snow, around 5 cm. Freezing level 1100 m. Moderate southwest wind increasing to strong at all elevations.

Monday: Light snow, around 5 cm. Freezing level 1300 m. Strong southwest winds affecting all elevations.

Tuesday: Light snow, around 5 cm overnight then clearing. Freezing level 500 m. Light southwest wind.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level rising to 1200 m. Light southwest wind.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, skier triggered storm slab avalanches size 1-2 were reported on all aspects. The new snow is sitting on a hard rain crust and may remain reactive to human triggers; especially in wind loaded features.

Snowpack Summary

Around 5 cm of new snow brings recent snow totals to 20-30 cm on top of a hard rain crust that exists all the way to the tops of the North Shore mountains. Reports indicate that the snow is adhering well to the crust. Reactivity at this interface is most likely where snow is wind affected. Watch for blowing snow and wind slab formation at all elevations Monday, as strong winds are forecast for all elevations.

The snowpack below the rain crust is well settled and strong in most areas.

Watch North Shore Rescue's latest snowpack update here.

Terrain and Travel

  • Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.

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.