Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 26th, 2024–Feb 27th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

Recent weather has resulted in a high degree of variability across the region so be sure to verify avalanche conditions in your area as you travel and before committing to terrain.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, several size 1-2 wind slabs were observed out of steep rocky north aspects around treeline in this great MIN report from Kitchener.

Snowpack Summary

In the north island, 20-40 cm of recent snow sits on a crust that likely extends into the alpine. (Check out this MIN report from Kitchener on Sunday.) Further south, the crust may be on the surface or lightly dusted by dry snow.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally uniform, with no significant layers of concern.

Below treeline, most areas are below threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Partly cloudy with scattered flurries bringing a trace. 40 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level sea level.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with p to 5 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

Wednesday

Heavy snowfall, 30 to 50 cm of new snow. 80 to 100 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

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.