Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 26th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
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.
Summary
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
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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
Saturday's storm brought low-density snow and moderate to strong southerly winds to our region. Wind slabs should be expected to overlay a widespread thick crust making them primed to reactive to human triggering.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Up to 30 cm of new low density light and dry snow overlies a variety of old surfaces from smooth and hard surfaces to 30 cm of low density snow.
Expect that dry loose avalanches will be certain on very steep terrain. Even a small loose dry avalanche can have enough mass to push a person into or over a terrain trap such as a cliff or depression.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 27th, 2023 4:00PM
