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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 5th, 2024–Jan 6th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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.
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.

Give storm snow time to settle and bond, particularly in western terrain where storm totals have been significant.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported.

We expect a natural avalanche cycle to occur in areas with strong winds and heavy snowfall.

Please help out your backcountry community by submitting a MIN report if you head out to the backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

By Saturday afternoon storm totals have likely reached 80 cm in the far west, 50 cm in the centre of the Island and around 30 cm in eastern terrain. Storm snow may accumulate over thin crusts on south facing slopes, which could increase reactivity.

Strong southwest winds has likely built deeper and more reactive slabs in wind-loaded features on north and east aspects.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong and hosts numerous hard melt-freeze crusts.

Treeline snow depths generally range from 50 to 150 cm. Snow depth diminishes rapidly below 1000 m. Traveling on skis is almost impossible below treeline.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with 10-20 cm of snow, up to 40 cm on the Western edge. Winds 40-60 km/h from the southwest. Freezing levels around 700 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow in most areas, up to 20 cm is possible in the west. Treeline temperature -3 ºC, freezing level 900 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny with increasing cloud in the afternoon and no precipitation. Northwest winds, 20-40 km/h. Freezing levels around 800 m, treeline temperature -4 ºC.

Monday

Cloudy with flurries. Southwest winds 40-60 km/h. Freezing levels rise to 1000 m. Treeline temperatures around -1 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

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.