Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 10th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada dsaly, Avalanche Canada

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

Watch for reactive pockets where dry snow is moved by the wind.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the region.

Snowpack Summary

Sun and warm temperatures quickly encouraged 20 cm accumulated by Friday morning to settle. This covered moist snow above 1300 m and a new breakable crust below this elevation, a result of rain-then-snow over the course of the storm. This rain saturated as much as 70 cm that accumulated above 700 m from the previous storm pulse at the end of last week.

These upper snowpack characteristics top a melt-freeze crust that is now likely breaking down where it was thinnest. The crust was previously up to 10 cm thick at lower elevations and tapered to 1 cm thick on shaded or high-elevation terrain. A few cm of softer snow recently found immediately below this crust is almost certainly now settled and bonded along with the remainder of the snowpack beneath it.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Cloudy and unsettled with isolated flurries. West-northwest wind easing to light. Treeline low temperature -6 C.

Saturday

Cloudy and unsettled. West wind increasing to 30-40 km/hr. Treeline high temperature -3 C.

Sunday

Flurries and rain, 5mm. West wind 50-70 km/hr. Treeline high temperature +2 C. Freezing level rising above 2000 m.

Monday

Rain, 5-15 mm. Gusty and strong northwest winds. Treeline high temperature +4 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind or rain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

At upper elevations, forecast wind will quickly find remaining dry snow in steep, open, and alpine-like features. Be most suspicious of deeper, loaded pockets around sharp changes in terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 11th, 2023 4:00PM

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