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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 8th, 2021–Feb 9th, 2021

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

A weak layer of surface hoar lurks in sheltered features and wind will encourage slab cohesion. Be wary of wind loaded slopes, dig down and investigate the bond between recent snow and old surfaces, and bring your extra puffy - it's cold.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT - Cold and cloudy with scattered flurries, 5 cm / moderate west wind / alpine low temperature near -24

TUESDAY - Cold with clouds and isolated flurries, up to 10 cm accumulation / moderate northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -20

WEDNESDAY - Sunny / moderate increasing to strong northeast wind / alpine high temperature near -20

THURSDAY - Sunny / moderate to strong east wind / alpine high temperature near -20

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, 2 size 1 natural avalanches were reported in near Bear Pass, its likely that winds had more impact in the northern areas of the forecast region.

On Saturday, a size 2 persistent slab avalanche was intentionally triggered on a north aspect at 1200 m, failing down 35 cm on surface hoar. Skiers also reported a reactive weak layer down 35 cm producing cracking underfoot and sudden results in test profiles between 800 and 1100 m. In the far north, a handful of small (size 1.5) wind slab avalanches failed naturally.

On Friday, numerous dry loose avalanches were reported up to size 2 during the storm in steep terrain. 

On Thursday, reports indicated several small features were reactive up to size 1 on the surface hoar that was buried in late January. 

Snowpack Summary

Cold temperatures are encouraging surface faceting and variable winds are impacting loose snow. The late January interface is down 30-70 cm, this consists of surface hoar in sheltered locations, a crust on solar features, and facets and stiff wind affected snow at upper elevations. Below treeline, 10-30 cm of snow sits above isolated pockets of surface hoar and a crust that is more prominent on solar aspects. 

The mid-pack seems to be well settled. Deep persistent layers appear to have mostly become unreactive, with the exception of the Bear Pass area and the far reaches south of Kitimat. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.