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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 13th, 2023–Feb 14th, 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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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.

Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation, especially on slopes being impacted by direct sun.

Use caution as you transition into wind-affected areas.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

There have been no new avalanches reported in the region since Wednesday. Backcountry users should expect to see evidence of a small natural avalanche cycle from within Sunday night's storm.

Snowpack Summary

10 cm of storm snow blankets the coast mountains. Underneath recent storm snow, a breakable freezing rain crust is found between 1100 m and 1600 m, possibly higher. Moderate southerly winds are redistributing new snow into deeper pockets in lees at higher elevations.

A hard crust can now be found in sheltered, approximately 60 to 80 cm deep. The rest of the mid and lower snowpack seems strong and consolidated.

Snowpack depths are reaching 230 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, clearing through the night. West winds switch to the north 20 km/h. Treeline temperatures -4 °C. Freezing level 800 m drop to 400 m. 

Tuesday 

Mainly sunny. Winds north 20 km/h. Treeline temperatures -4 °C and freezing levels 1000 m. 

Wednesday 

Mix of sun and cloud. Winds west 20 km/h. Treeline temperatures -6 °C and freezing levels 600 m. 

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Winds southwest 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures -5 °C and freezing levels 800 m. 

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Cornices may release remotely when approached.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.