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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 20th, 2023–Feb 21st, 2023

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

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Powell River, Spearhead, Tantalus, Sasquatch.

Overnight snowfall amounts Monday night are uncertain. That being said, moderate to strong winds will continue to build wind slabs in the alpine and treeline.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Most recent avalanche activity has been reported as size 1-1.5 windslabs in the alpine.

There was a report of a natural size 3 persistent slab avalanche in the Brandywine area on Saturday evening. This was on a northeast aspect at 1750m. More details can be found here.

Snowpack Summary

Recent new snow is being redistributed by moderate to strong winds blowing primarily from the southwest.

A crust that formed in late January with small facets above it, can be found at all elevations down 40-100 cm. This crust has been reactive to rider traffic in the Rhododendron and Pemberton Icefield area. Additionally, a crust with facets above, found 80-200 cm deep and 1900m and below in elevation has recently been reactive in the Brandywine area.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with flurries, accumulation 5-15cm. Wind moderate to strong west and southwest. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulation 3-5cm. Wind light to moderate northeast. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

Wednesday

Mainly cloudy. Wind light east and northeast. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Wind moderate northeast wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.