Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 6th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Seek out sheltered terrain where the snow remains soft and powdery.
Be careful if you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported since last weekend when numerous small to large storm slab avalanches occurred. They were naturally and human-triggered, with slabs up to 60 cm deep, running on a crust or facet layer beneath the storm snow. Looking forward, we expect naturally triggered avalanches to be unlikely, but human triggering to remain possible.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 120 cm of snow fell during the last storm, with one or two thin rain crusts buried 40 to 90 cm deep, caused by a brief temperature spike. The storm snow is slowly settling, remaining dry and powdery in the cold. Wind-affected snow and wind slabs formed by shifting wind may be found on various aspects at upper elevations.
This storm snow sits on a weak late-January layer, which is a hard, slippery crust in most areas. However, on shady upper slopes, it may rest on faceted grains or surface hoar.
Below this, the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled with no major concerns.
Check out this awesome MIN if you are heading out near Powell River.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Clear skies. 15 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 10 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Sunday
Partly cloudy. 15 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Be careful with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
The most likely places to trigger a slab are steep, wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
The storm snow remains dry and powdery in most areas so expect sluffing in steep terrain. Remember to use good sluff management techniques.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 7th, 2025 4:00PM
