Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
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.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapCoquihalla
Feb 16 – 17, 2024Avalanche Canada
Archived · expired 3 years ago
Avalanche danger
Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Highlights
Keep your guard up in steep open terrain! Wind slabs are bonding poorly to an underlying crust.
Avalanche problems
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.