Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 16th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
kbakker,
Avalanche Canada
Reactivity in slabs seems to be holding on, or "persisting". These avalanches are most common in areas with wind affected snow or where the snow sits above buried surface hoar or a crust.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
The pattern of human and remotely triggered avalanches continued. Most recent avalanches have been up to size 1.5 with a few larger ones up to size 2.5 reported on Monday. These avalanches have been occurring at treeline and above and on all aspects. Almost all of them have failed on the layer of surface hoar or crust described in the snowpack summary.
Snowpack Summary
Exposed terrain at treeline and above is highly wind affected. In sheltered terrain a new layer of surface hoar is forming on the surface and a new crust may be found on steep south facing slopes.
Another layer of surface hoar and facets is buried 10 to 30 cm in sheltered terrain.
Below treeline a thick melt-freeze crust exists down 20 cm and up to 1700 m.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Clear. 20 to 40 km/h southeast alpine wind. Treeline temperature -5°C. Above Freezing Layer developing between the Prince Rupert to Kitimat to Terrace areas.
Saturday
A mix of sun and clouds. 10 to 20 km/h southeast alpine wind. Treeline temperature -6°C. Alpine temperature inversion -1°C. Freezing levels 500 m across most of the region, except where the above freezing layer exists.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud, with isolated flurries in the north of the region. 10 to 20 km/h northwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing levels 500 m across most of the region, except where the above freezing layer exists.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 10 km/h northwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing levels 500 m across most of the region, except where the above freezing layer exists.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A layer of surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack will likely remain rider triggerable. This layer is most problematic in sheltered terrain at treeline.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Over the past few days wind has come from a variety of directions at all elevations. Wind slab is possible on all exposed slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 17th, 2024 4:00PM
