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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 26th, 2021–Feb 27th, 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 and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

South Coast.

Relatively thin but reactive slab avalanches have occurred in recent snow sitting over a hard crust. These are most likely triggered in wind-affected terrain and on slopes that face the sun.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear and cold. Strong northwesterly winds are expected overnight.

SATURDAY: Clear in the morning with increasing cloud. Light northwesterly winds. Freezing level 700 m.

SUNDAY: Light snow, around 5 cm. Moderate southwesterly winds. Freezing level 1100 m.

MONDAY: 30 cm new snow expected. Strong southwesterly winds affecting all elevations. Freezing level around 900 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, skier triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 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 affected terrain or on slopes that face the sun.

Snowpack Summary

15-20 cm of new snow sits on top of a hard rain crust that exists all the way to the tops of the North Shore mountains. These storm slabs will react readily on steep slopes facing the sun. They may also be reactive in wind affected terrain. 

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

Terrain and Travel

  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Avoid exposure to steep sun exposed slopes.
  • 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.