Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Jan 22 – 23, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate

Highlights

Less snow fell than expected, however storm snow will still take time to strengthen.

Watch for reactivity on steep slopes and wind affected terrain features.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Storm slabs may remain reactive to human triggers as they gain strength with the old snow surface. Watch for deeper deposits and more reactivity around ridgelines and on north and east facing slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday a size 2 natural storm slab was observed on a northeast facing slope.

On Wednesday there were a few size 1 avalanches triggered by explosives in the storm snow with impressively wide propagation.

Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of storm snow is likely to be found in wind sheltered terrain features. This sits over around 50 cm of settling snow at higher elevations, which tapers to a hard crust at lower elevations, below 700 m.

Last weeks rain saturated the snowpack and created a well settled and strong lower snowpack.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Light snowfall continues delivering a few more centimeters over the evening. Freezing levels remain around 500 m, and moderate southerly winds begin to ease.

Sunday

Clearing skies with light to moderate northwest winds. Freezing levels around 500 m. No snowfall expected.

Monday

Cloudy with isolated flurries delivering up to 5 cm. Moderate to strong northwest winds return. Freezing levels around 500 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with isolated flurries possible. Moderate to strong northwest winds. Freezing levels around 500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Give the new snow time to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

Regions covered