Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

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

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

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

A localized storm in the southern part of our region may have produced reactive storm slabs.

At lower elevations, a crust will make for challenging travel conditions, but generally safe avalanche conditions.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Monday, backcountry users reported a few small wet loose avalanches. Until temperatures cool, expect to see more of these.

Thank you to all who contribute to the Mountain Information Network. If you head to the backcountry please consider doing the same.

Snowpack Summary

Two separate systems brought up to 30 cm to the far north and up to 20 cm to the far south. At higher elevations at higher elevations. In most areas, the new snow and wind slabs will be sitting on a widespread crust. Another crust found up to 70 cm down, extends to mountain tops and is found on all aspects. Recent reports suggest this crust is bonding poorly to the snow above.

The remainder of the snowpack is consolidated and strengthened.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy, 0 to 5 cm accumulation in most places with up to 10 to 15cm accumulation to the south, winds southeast 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperatures -15 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with the sun breaking through around lunchtime, 0 to 5 cm accumulation ending in the morning, winds east 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperatures -13 °C.

Friday

Mostly sunny, trace accumulation, winds north northwest 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperatures -10 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy, 6 to 12 cm accumulation, winds southwest 50 to 60 km/h, treeline temperatures -6 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • 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.