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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 21st, 2023–Feb 22nd, 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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Powell River, Spearhead, Tantalus, Sasquatch.

The wind has switched from mostly southerly to northerly, so expect to see windslabs on a variety of aspects.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Most recent avalanche activity has been reported as size 1-1.5 wind slabs in the alpine.

There was a report of a natural size 3 persistent slab avalanche in the Brandywine area last Saturday evening. This was on a northeast aspect at 1750m. More details can be found here.

Snowpack Summary

Recent new snow is being redistributed by moderate to strong winds blowing primarily from the southwest then switching to north and northeast.

A crust that formed in late January with small facets above it, can be found at all elevations down 40-100 cm. This crust has been reactive to rider traffic in the Rhododendron and Pemberton Icefield area. Additionally, a crust with facets above, found 80-200 cm deep and 1900m and below in elevation has recently been reactive in the Brandywine area.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mainly cloudy clear periods and isolated flurries, Light to moderate northeast wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Wednesday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Light to moderate northwest wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate northeast wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light northerly wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.