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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 17th, 2023–Feb 18th, 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, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Continue to assess the bond between new snow and the underlying crust. Wind slabs could be larger and more reactive if a poor bond is found.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On thursday our field team was able to ski cut small wind slabs just below ridge crests.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 50cm of recent snow has fallen on a crust that likely extends to mountain tops on all aspects. Southwest winds have likely blown this new snow into wind slabs on north and east aspects in the alpine and scoured or pressed windward slopes..

The remainder of the snowpack is consolidated and strong.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing a few centimeters of new snow. Light to moderate westerly winds and a low of -4 at 1500m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5cm of new snow possible. Moderate to strong northwest winds and a high of -3 at 1500m.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with a few centimeters of new snow expected. Light westerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1400m.

Monday

Cloudy with up to 10cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Moderate westerly wind and freezing levels rising to 1500m.

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.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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.