Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Feb 19 – 20, 2024Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 3 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Use extra caution in the alpine where rider triggerable wind slabs could still be found.

On the North Shore a diminishing snowpack will make for challenging travel.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Northerly outflow wind has formed small wind slabs on some alpine features.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been observed in the North Shore mountains.

A small (size 1) wind slab was triggered by a skier near Powell River on Wednesday (see photo). Because of the weak grains wind slabs have formed over, this type of reactivity is expected to persist.

Snowpack Summary

A surface crust exists to the top of the North Shore mountains.

Higher elevations in other parts of the region have widespread wind-affected surfaces and the potential for wind slab over facets. The snow surface will likely become moist throughout the day.

Conditions remain rugged at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Sky clearing throughout the night with trace amounts of new snow possible in the alpine. 10 to 20 km/h southeast alpine wind. Freezing level around 1600 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 15 km/h southeast alpine wind.  Freezing level rising to 1800 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 15 km/h southeast alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow possible in the alpine. 5 to 15 km/h southeast alpine wind. Freezing level around 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Regions covered