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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 5th, 2023–Feb 6th, 2023

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Avalanche danger will increase through the day as new snow and wind build deep and reactive storm slabs over a slippery crust. At lower elevations, loose wet avalanches become increasingly likely as the snowpack is soaked by rain. Stick to conservative, low angle terrain free from overhead hazard.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No reports of avalanche activity in the last few days. We anticipate widespread natural storm slab and loose wet avalanche activity during periods of heavy snowfall/rain Monday and Tuesday. There is potential for deep storm slabs to slide on a buried crust, producing large and destructive avalanches.

Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network, the information is very helpful to forecasters.

Snowpack Summary

15-25 cm of new snow is forecast to fall amid strong wind over the day Monday, at elevations above 1000 m. At upper elevations, the new snow adds to 40 cm of recent snow sitting over a hard crust. Snowpack tests have shown a poor bond between the crust and overlying snow. The middle and lower snowpack is strong and bonded.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Cloudy. Moderate westerly wind. Freezing level 1200 m.

Monday

Snowfall 15-25 cm, falling as rain below 1000 m. Strong southwest wind. Freezing level climbing to 1400 m.

Tuesday

Heavy snowfall 25-50 cm overnight with another 15-25 cm over the day, falling as rain below 1100 m. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Light northwest wind. Freezing level 500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Good day to make conservative terrain choices.
  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.