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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 28th, 2022–Jan 29th, 2022

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

Regions

Vancouver Island.

Snow and strong winds brings the potential for small wind slabs to build over the day. Expect reactive conditions near ridge lines and lee terrain features where snow accumulates on the crust. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

Weather Forecast

Finally we see a return of an active weather pattern. Light snowfall is expected with cooler temperatures.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Increasing cloud. Strong southwest winds. Freezing levels below 1000 m.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with strong southwest winds. 5-10 cm of snowfall. Freezing levels around 1500 m, alpine high of 0. Greater snowfall amounts may be seen in the west. 

SUNDAY: Cloudy with moderate to strong southwest winds. Snowfall continues overnight on Saturday delivering up to 10 overnight and an additional 5-10cm by Sunday afternoon. Freezing levels around 1500 m. Alpine high 0. 

MONDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks. Isolated flurries possible. Winds switch to moderate from the northwest. Freezing levels drop to 1000 m. Alpine high of 1. 

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been reported. 

Observations remain limited. If you head out into the mountains, please share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow will accumulate on a thick and supportive crust that extends to mountain top. 

Below this crust, snow is moist down 30-50 cm where several old crusts are now breaking down. The middle and base of the snowpack are well settled and strong, consisting of well bonded snow and several hard melt-freeze crusts. The snowpack has receded back to marginal levels below treeline with many hazards present. 

Check out a recent MIN report for a good description of travel conditions, in the Prince of Wales range. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

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.