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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 22nd, 2023–Feb 23rd, 2023

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

Regions

South Bulkley.

Variable winds have produced wind slabs on all aspects at higher elevations

Use caution as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Tuesday saw an increase in natural avalanche activity that produced avalanches that ranged in size between 1.5 and 4. Our field team reported witnessing several wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5 in extremely steep terrain. Local operators reported wind slab, storm slab, and also persistent and deep persistent slab avalanches. The persistent and deep persistent layers have been relatively quiet since February 16th. This is a good reminder that they could still be reactive in the right location.

On Sunday, a notable skier accidental size 2 storm slab occurred in the backcountry near Terrace. See details in the MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Variable winds, predominantly and most recently from the northeast, have redistributed up to 40 cm of recent snow at all elevations in exposed areas.

Up to 80 cm now sits over a layer of small surface hoar, facets, and wind-affected surfaces. Below treeline, a new crust could exist up to 1000m.

A layer of facets and a crust from late January can be found down 100 to 200cm. Below this layer, the snowpack is generally well-settled and right-side up.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Clear, no accumulation, winds east northeast 35 km/h and stronger towards the coast, treeline temperatures -20 °C.

Thursday

Sunny, no accumulation, winds northeast 25 to 45 km/h, treeline temperatures -20 to -25 °C.

Friday

Increasing clouds, trace accumulation starting late in the day, winds northwest 35 km/h, treeline temperatures -15 to -20 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy, 10 cm accumulation with more in coastal regions, winds southwest 30km/h gusting to 50, treeline temperatures around -15 ºC and rising.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to the presence of deeply buried weak layers.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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.