Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 27th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs have developed from this past weekend's storm.
If the sun comes out, expect solar input to increase avalanche hazard.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity has increased due to the storm this past weekend. As skies clear and operators can now observe their areas, more reports of natural storm and wind slab avalanches are coming in. They ranged in size from small to large. Expect to see the same if you head to the backcountry. Human-triggered avalanches will be possible until the snow has time to settle.
Snowpack Summary
Weekend snow may have been transported by southerly winds creating wind slabs at most elevations. New wind slabs and new undistributed snow will be sitting on older wind slabs created earlier this week. These wind slabs can be found on all aspects and at most elevations.
Up to 80 cm now sits over a layer of small surface hoar, facets, and wind-affected surfaces.
A crust from late January exists around 140 to 180 cm below the surface. Beneath the crust, the snowpack is generally consolidated but as you move further inland there are instabilities found near the ground where the snowpack is thinner.
The total height of snow varies between 450 cm near the coast and 250 cm further inland.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy with clear periods, trace accumulation more in the southwest coastal areas, winds southerly 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperatures hovering around -10 ºC.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, no accumulation, winds northeast 5 to 10 km/h, treeline temperatures -8 to -12 ºC.
Wednesday
Cloudy with possible sunny breaks, up to 25 cm accumulation, winds southwest 35 km/h gusting to 60, treeline temperatures -12 to -5 ºC.
Thursday
Cloudy, 20 cm accumulation, winds west 30 km/h gusting to 50, treeline temperatures, -8 ºC.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Problems
Wind Slabs
This past weekend's storm has brought significant snowfall amounts and southwest winds. Expect to find reactive wind slabs at nearly all elevations in exposed areas.
In areas where the wind has not transported the snow, expect the new low-density snow to have the potential to create dry loose avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 28th, 2023 4:00PM
