Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 5th, 2024–Feb 6th, 2024

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Spearhead, Tantalus, Sky Pilot.

Recent north wind may have formed wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.

Watch for recently formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Explosive control work near Whistler on Monday produced small (size 1.5) cornice failures.

Snowpack Summary

Recent north wind may have formed wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.

Above 1900 m, 10 - 40 cm of recent snow sits on a supportive crust.

Below 1900 m, recent snow amounts taper quickly and the crust increases in thickness.

Where snow still exists below treeline, it is isothermal and travel is very challenging.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Partly cloudy, north wind 10 km/h, treeline temperature -3 C, freezing level valley bottom.

Tuesday

Sunny, west wind 20 km/h, treeline temperature -3 C, freezing level 1200 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 3 - 5 cm snow, southwest wind 10 km/h, treeline temperature -6 C, freezing level 800 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud, southwest wind 10 km/h, treeline temperature -6 C, freezing level 800m.

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.
Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying 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.