Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 15th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

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Keep your guard up in steep open terrain! Wind slabs are bonding poorly to an underlying crust.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

The last reported avalanches were small loose avalanches on Tuesday. Widespread whumpfing was reported in the Coquihalla area on Tuesday, a sign that recent snow may be bonding poorly to the underlying crust and/or surface hoar layers.

Snowpack Summary

Wind and sun have created variable surface conditions. Outflow wind has heavily impacted open terrain, including at lower elevations.

A widespread crust exists 30 cm below the surface, and surface hoar has been found above the crust in some parts of the region. The snowpack is strong and bonded below the crust.

Conditions remain rugged at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Clear skies. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Friday

Sunny. 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C with freezing level climbing to 1200 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 2 to 4 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C with freezing level around 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Outflow wind has impacted open terrain on all aspects at treeline and alpine elevations. The resulting wind slabs are bonding poorly to the underlying crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 16th, 2024 4:00PM

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