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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 28th, 2023–Mar 1st, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.

Shifting winds may have produced wind slabs on a variety of aspects at higher elevations.

The best snow will be found in sheltered areas.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Observations from this past weekend, report of natural and ridder-triggered storm slab and wind slab avalanches up to size 2.

Huge thanks to those who contribute to the Mountain Information Network. If you head to the backcountry please help out your community by sharing your experiences.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs and low-density snow covers a crust from mid-February. In most areas, the crust is resistant to bonding to what is above it. In sheltered areas, the crust may be covered with up to 60 cm of low-density snow or 100 cm of wind slab. Where the wind has scoured the crust it may be on the surface. This crust is widespread and is expected to exist all the way to mountaintops.

The lower snowpack contains a number of crusts but they are not a factor at the moment. It is consolidated and well-settled.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Clear, no accumulation, winds northwest 20 km/h, treeline temperatures -7 ºC.

Wednesday

Increasing clouds, trace accumulation, winds west 25 km/h, treeline temperatures hovering around -5 ºC.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy, up to 15 to 25 cm in northern areas, winds west 30 km/h and gusting to 60, treeline temperatures -2 to -8 ºC.

Friday

Cloudy, up to 20 cm focused in the north, winds west 20 km/h gusting to 50, treeline temperatures -7 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind continues to redistribute any available snow. As it changes direction from the south to the west expect to find wind slabs on a variety of aspects.Recent snow and new wind slabs may be sitting on a crust making bonding difficult.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5