Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Feb 13 – 14, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate

Highlights

Investigate conditions as you move through the terrain and dial back your terrain choices if you're seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.

Be especially cautious when transitioning to wind-affected areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    New snow and strong southwesterly winds have built cohesive slabs in exposed lee areas. Slabs will likely be the deepest and most reactive on north and east aspects at treeline and above. Use extra caution as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There have been no new avalanches reported in the region since Wednesday. Backcountry users should expect to see evidence of a small natural avalanche cycle from within the storm.

Snowpack Summary

By Monday morning 10-20 cm of storm snow blankets the coast mountains. This brings storm snow totals from the week to 80-90 cm. Moderate southerly winds are redistributing new snow into deep pockets in lees at higher elevations.

A hard crust can now be found in sheltered, approximately 60 to 80 cm deep. The rest of the mid and lower snowpack seems strong and consolidated.

Snowpack depths are reaching 230 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night 

Cloudy with convective flurries bringing 5-10 cm accumulation, perhaps up to 15-20 cm locally. Winds southwest then switching to west 40 km/h gusting to 60. Treeline temperatures -2 °C. 1500 m freezing levels fall to 800 m. 

Monday 

Mainly cloudy with scattered convective flurries continuing in the morning, 3-5 cm accumulation at higher elevations. Winds west 35 km/h, treeline temperatures -4 °C. Freezing level 800 m. 

Tuesday 

Sunny. Winds northwest 20 km/h. Treeline temperatures -5 °C and Freezing levels around 800 m. 

Wednesday 

Sunny. Winds west 20 km/h. Treeline temperatures -5 °C and Freezing levels around 800 m. 

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.

Regions covered