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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 7th, 2022–Jan 8th, 2022

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

Regions

Vancouver Island.

Evaluate for wind slabs in steep terrain features in wind-exposed terrain.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Increasing clouds with early-morning snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 40 km/h west wind, treeline temperature -6 C.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 60 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -2 C.

SUNDAY: Early-morning snowfall then partly cloudy, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 40 km/h south wind, treeline temperature 3 C, freezing level rising to 2400 m.

MONDAY: Cloudy with snow and rain, accumulation 10 to 20 cm above 1500 m and rain below, 60 km/h south wind, treelpine temperature 3 C.

Avalanche Summary

Several wind slab avalanches were triggered naturally, by riders, and explosives on Thursday and Friday. They were generally 30 to 40 cm deep, on north aspects, and at treeline elevations. These slabs may still be triggerable by riders on Saturday. Below 1200 m, small pinwheels were observed out of steep terrain from Thursday night's rain.

We'd appreciate any observations while you are out travelling on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs may still be found in steep, lee terrain features, which formed from recent 30 to 50 cm of snow and strong southeast to southwest wind. The snow surface below about 1200 m consists of a hard melt-freeze crust from recent rain. This overlies 100+ cm of snow that accumulated since January 1, which reports suggest is bonding well to the snowpack.

The middle and base of the snowpack are strong, consisting of well-bonded snow and various hard melt-freeze crusts.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

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.