Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 26th, 2023–Feb 27th, 2023

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 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

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

Moderate winds have redistributed large amounts of low-density snow creating wind slabs in exposed areas.

In nonwind-affected terrain, the low-density snow if triggered could build enough mass to knock a person over or push them into a terrain trap.

Seek out low-angle sheltered areas.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Wind and low-density snow on top of a crust have produced rider-reactive slabs.

On Wednesday, our field team reported a size 2 natural storm slab avalanche and a size 1.5 wind slab avalanche in the northern part of the island. Incoming snow and winds could produce reactive slabs such as these this weekend

Thank you to all who contribute to the Mountain Information Network. If you head to the backcountry please help out your community by sharing your experiences.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 60 cm of low-density snow will have fallen in our region by Monday morning. Variable winds have and will continue to redistribute this snow so expect to find wind slabs on all aspects.

A crust that formed at the start of this past week can be found 35 to 45 cm down in sheltered areas. This crust is widespread and is expected to exist all the way to mountaintops. In exposed areas, the wind has either covered this crust with a wind slab or has completely scoured the snow off of it. Snow that covered the crust as it was forming is bonding well, this may not be the case for new snow that covers it going forward.

The lower snowpack contains a number of crusts but they are not a factor at the moment. It is consolidated and well-settled.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy, up to 5 cm accumulation, winds west southwest 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperatures -7 ºC.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud, up to 5 cm accumulation in some locations by mid-day with another possible 5 cm starting late in the day, winds southerly 20 km/h, treeline temperatures -8 ºC.

Tuesday

Clearing in the morning, trace accumulation, winds northeast 20 km/h, treeline temperatures -6 ºC.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud, no accumulation, winds west 15 km/h, treeline temperatures hovering around -5 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

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.
Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

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.

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.