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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 28th, 2023–Mar 1st, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

South Coast, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, Tetrahedron.

Up to 70 cm of storm snow has fallen since last weekend! Storm slab reactivity is expected to persist for longer than typical, due to the weak surface they are sitting on. Human triggering remains likely.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity reported as of Tuesday morning.

On Sunday, a widespread natural cycle occurred throughout the region. Reports came in of very touchy human-triggered storm slabs (size 1-2) averaging 30-60 cm deep and up to 100 cm deep in wind-loaded areas.

Storm slab reactivity is expected to persist for longer than is typical due to the weak surface they are sitting on.

Check out last Friday's North Shore Snowpack Update for a picture of the unusual snowpack setup leading into last weekend's storm.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of new snow overnight Monday adds to last weekend's storm snow bringing totals of 50-70 cm down to the valley bottom. This new snow has bonded poorly to the underlying surface formed by recent wind and cold temperatures. The old snow surface consists of weak faceted snow, old hard wind slabs, and a crust between 1100 and 1600 m.

The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled, strong, and consolidated.

Snowpack depths are reaching 250 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Clear periods. Treeline temperatures -4 °C. Ridge wind southeast 10-20 km/h. Freezing level valley bottom.

Wednesday

Cloudy with flurries, 5-10 cm of accumulation Treeline temperatures reach a high of -4 °C. Southwest wind 20 km/h and freezing level valley bottom.

Thursday

Snow amounts 10-20 cm. Ridgetop wind 35-55 km/h from the west. Treeline temperatures reach a high of -5 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Friday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Treeline temperatures near -5 °C. Ridge wind southwest 40 km/h gusting to 70 km/h. Freezing level 500 m.

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.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Storms slabs have been reactive at all elevations.
  • Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.