Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Feb 15 – 16, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Use extra caution on steep slopes at treeline.

Buried surface hoar has been reactive to skiers and even produced remotely triggered avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Over the past few days wind has come from a variety of directions at all elevations. wind slab is possible on all exposed slopes.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    A layer of surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack will likely remain rider triggerable. This layer is most problematic in sheltered terrain at treeline.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

The pattern of human and remotely triggered avalanches continues. Most of these avalanches have been size 1.5 but a few have been reported up to size 2 and one size 2.5 has been reported. These avalanches have been occurring at treeline and above and on all aspects. Almost all of them have failed on the layer of surface hoar described in the snowpack summary.

Snowpack Summary

Exposed terrain at treeline and above is highly wind effected. In sheltered terrain a new layer of surface hoar is forming on the surface and a new crust may be found on steep south facing slopes.

Another layer of surface hoar and facets is buried 10 to 30 cm in sheltered terrain.

Below treeline a thick melt-freeze crust exists down 20 cm and up to 1700 m.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Clear skies with no new snow expected. 30 to 50 km/h easterly alpine wind. Treeline temperature -5°C.

Thursday

Sunny with no new snow expected. 35 to 60 km/h east alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

Friday

Sunny with no new snow expected. 40 to 60 km/h easterly alpine wind. Treeline temperature -3°C.

Saturday

Increasing cloud with no new snow expected. 10 to 30 km/h easterly alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

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