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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 14th, 2022–Feb 15th, 2022

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

Regions

South Coast.

Thin new wind slabs may have formed in exposed terrain at high elevations. These will sit on a firm melt-freeze crust which may increase their reactivity.

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

An offshore ridge of high pressure brings dry conditions with periods of sun. There is some warm air aloft expected just offshore and uncertainty whether it will affect the region. 

Monday night: Partly cloudy, light to moderate N wind, freezing levels around 1500 m.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud, moderate NW wind, freezing levels as high as 1800 m with an inversion. 

Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, moderate NW wind, freezing levels potentially reaching 2000 m with an inversion. 

Thursday: Cloudy with flurries, moderate to strong NW wind, freezing levels around 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Sunday. On Saturday, a natural rockfall-triggered loose wet avalanche was reported from a south-facing cliff band. Glide cracks were also reported to be opening up. 

Snowpack Summary

Monday's snowfall buries a widespread surface crust which exists on all aspects and at all elevations. Thin new wind slabs may have formed in exposed terrain at higher elevations. 

The late-January melt-freeze crust is now down around 40 cm and is reported to be knife hard and up to 30 cm thick. This crust extends to at least the top of treeline and is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow. 

The middle and lower snowpack are considered well settled and strong.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

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.