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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 13th, 2023–Feb 14th, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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

Regions: North Shore, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Tetrahedron.

Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation, especially on slopes being impacted by direct sun.

Use caution as you transition into wind-affected areas.

Confidence

High

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 Sunday night's storm.

Snowpack Summary

10 cm of storm snow blankets the coast mountains. Underneath recent storm snow, a breakable freezing rain crust is found between 1100 m and 1600 m, possibly higher. Moderate southerly winds are redistributing new snow into deeper 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

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, clearing through the night. West winds switch to the north 20 km/h. Treeline temperatures -4 °C. Freezing level 800 m drop to 400 m. 

Tuesday 

Mainly sunny. Winds north 20 km/h. Treeline temperatures -4 °C and freezing levels 1000 m. 

Wednesday 

Mix of sun and cloud. Winds west 20 km/h. Treeline temperatures -6 °C and freezing levels 600 m. 

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Winds southwest 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures -5 °C and freezing levels 800 m. 

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Cornices may release remotely when approached.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong southwest winds have redistributed the most recent 10 cm of storm snow into pockets of cohesive slab in lees.

On Tuesday winds change direction to a light north wind. Watch for winds reverse-loading exposed features at higher elevations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Cornices

As the sun breaks through the cloud for the first time in a while on Tuesday, watch for slab properties increasing in surface snow. Look for signs of instability increasing; pinwheeling, trees shedding, and natural avalanches. Minimize exposure to steep sun-exposed slopes, especially when solar radiation is strong.

Cornices may become weak with daytime heating and solar radiation. Stay well back from cornices and limit exposure to slopes beneath them.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3