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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 15th, 2023–Feb 16th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson, Ningunsaw.

Continue to make conservative terrain choices. Ongoing wind and precipitation will keep the storm slab problem reactive.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Many storm and wind slabs were triggered naturally, by riders, and explosives on Sunday and Monday, releasing within the weekend's storm snow. We expect similar avalanche activity has taken place during the day on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Around 20cm of new storm snow sits over a layer of small surface hoar, facets and wind effected surfaces. On north and east aspects at treeline and above this new storm snow has formed wind slabs.

A layer of facets and a crust from late January can be found down 100 to 200cm. Below this layer the snowpack is generally well settled and right side up.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Stormy with 10 to 30cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southerly wind and a low of -4 at 1500m.

Thursday

Cloudy with up to 10cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest winds and a high of -6 at 1500m.

Friday

Stormy with 5 to 20cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southwest winds and a high of -6 at 1500m.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 15cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong westerly winds and a high of -4 at 1500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.