Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 21st, 2023–Feb 22nd, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Wind slabs can be found at all elevations and aspects.

Use caution as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, a notable skier accidental size 2 storm slab occurred in the backcountry near Terrace. See details in the MIN report.

Expect fresh, reactive wind slabs to form in a reverse loading pattern and at lower elevations than expected. These wind slabs may be particularly reactive where they overlie a crust.

Snowpack Summary

Variable winds, predominantly and most recently from the northeast, have redistributed up to 40 cm of recent snow at all elevations in exposed areas.

Up to 80 cm now sits over a layer of small surface hoar, facets, and wind-affected surfaces. Below treeline, a new crust could exist up to 1000m.

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

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear, no accumulation, winds northeast 55 km/h, treeline temperatures -15 °C.

Wednesday

Sunny, no accumulation, winds northeast 55 km/h, treeline temperatures -15 to -20 °C.

Thursday

Sunny with some clouds, no accumulation, winds northeast 60 to 70 km/h, treeline temperatures -20 °C.

Friday

Increasing clouds, 2 cm accumulation starting late in the day, winds northwest 40 to 45 km/h, treeline temperatures -15 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.