Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
At high elevations where enough dry snow has accumulated, strong south wind may be forming pockets of reactive wind slab.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapVancouver Island
Feb 2 – 3, 2024Avalanche Canada
Archived · expired 3 years ago
Avalanche danger
Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Highlights
Wind slab avalanches may be possible at upper elevations where dry snow has accumulated over a crust.
Avalanche problems
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche observations.
Snowpack Summary
Freezing levels are receding back down the mountain, leaving behind refreezing surfaces and a dusting of dry new snow above 1200 m. Below the crust, the snowpack is wet to ground.
Below treeline, the snowpack has melted out almost entirely, leaving it below threshold for avalanches.
Weather Summary
Thursday night
Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow above 1300 m, light rain below. The west island may receive up to 40 cm/mm. South ridgetop wind 60-80 km/h. Treeline temperature around 1 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow above 1200 m, light rain below. South ridgetop wind 30-50 km/h. Treeline temperature around 0 °C.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. Light north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -1 °C. Freezing level around 1100 m.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. Light northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 0 °C. Freezing level around 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
- Although their spatial distribution is isolated, wind slabs are reactive.
- Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.