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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 26th, 2023–Feb 27th, 2023

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

Regions

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

Avoid avalanche terrain. Natural and human-triggered storm slabs remain likely on Monday as sun and warm temperatures have the potential to initiate a natural avalanche cycle. Continue choosing conservative, low-consequence terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Last week, northerly outflow winds created small (size 1) but reactive wind slabs at ridge crests.

On Sunday, a widespread natural cycle is suspected to have occurred throughout the region. Reports came in of very touchy human-triggered storm slabs averaging 50 cm deep and up to 100 cm deep in wind-loaded areas.

Looking forward to Monday, dangerous avalanche conditions will persist. Expect natural and human-triggered storm slabs to be likely, especially in wind-loaded areas and on sun-exposed slopes.

Check out Friday's North Shore Snowpack Update for a picture of the unusual snowpack setup leading into Sunday's storm.

Snowpack Summary

Saturday night's storm brought 30-50 cm of new snow down to valley bottom. This new snow has bonded poorly to the underlying surface formed by recent wind and cold temperatures. This surface consists of weak faceted snow, old hard wind slabs and a breakable crust between 1100 and 1600 m.

The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled, strong, and consolidated.

Snowpack depths are reaching 250 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Clear periods with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm of accumulation. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -7 °C. Ridge wind south 15 to 20 km/h. Freezing level 100 metres.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -4 °C. Ridge wind east 10-25 km/h. Freezing level 700 metres.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -4 °C. Ridge wind northwest 10 km/h. Freezing level 500 metres.

Wednesday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -6 °C. Ridge wind light from the southwest. Freezing level 200 metres.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
  • Stick to simple terrain or small features with limited consequence.
  • Avoid being on or under sun exposed slopes.
  • Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
  • Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.

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 Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.