Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 26th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
Where present, the wind will have transported low-density snow that fell this past weekend.
Seek out sheltered and low-consequence terrain but be careful of dry loose avalanches for the best and safest riding.
Triggering a deep persistent slab remains possible, especially in areas with a thin snowpack.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Since the weekend there have been numerous reports of storm slab, wind slab, and as well dry loose avalanches.
On Thursday a size 3 deep persistent slab avalanche occurred naturally near Kispiox. It was on a steep, alpine feature, failing near rocks at ridgecrest. On Wednesday at Hudson Bay Mountain, a size 2.5 deep persistent slab avalanche was triggered by a cornice fall. Several size 2-3 explosive-controlled deep persistent slab avalanches also occurred near Ningunsaw.
If you go into the backcountry this weekend, please consider submitting a MIN report.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 40 cm of low-density snow fell this past weekend. Expect this new snow to be easily redistributed by southwest winds and touchy to sliding on steep old stiff surfaces.
New is covering a firm, wind-affected surface in all exposed areas. In sheltered areas, surface faceting due to cold temperatures and/or soft surface snow may remain.
Several crusts, layers of facets, or surface hoar can be found in the top 1.5 meters of the snowpack. This mid-pack is generally showing good strength.
Weak layers of note are facets near the bottom of the snowpack, 150 to 200 cm below the surface.
The total height of snow at treeline is between 200 and 280 cm.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy, trace accumulation, winds southerly 15 to 25 km/h, treeline temperatures -15 to -10 ºC.
Monday
Cloudy with sunny breaks, trace accumulation, winds southerly 15 to 30 km/h , treeline temperatures -13 ºC.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation, winds northerly 8 km/h, treeline temperatures -10 ºC.
Wednesday
Cloudy, 8 cm accumulation, winds southwest 25 km/h gusting to 50, treeline temperatures -12 ºC.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
- Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
- If triggered, loose dry avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Substantial amounts of low-density storm snow from this past weekend may have been redistributed by southerly winds. Earlier in the week moderate to strong winds came from a variety of directions creating wind slabs on all aspects.
Where the new snow is not wind-affected, make sure to watch out for dry loose avalanches in extreme terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
We continue to receive reports of large deep persistent slab avalanches, failing on facets (weak sugary crystals) near the base of the snowpack. Although triggering an avalanche on these deeply buried layers is unlikely, the result would be a large destructive avalanche.
Avoid shallow areas, and steep, rocky start zones.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 27th, 2023 4:00PM
