Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 1st, 2023 4:00PM

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

jminifie, Avalanche Canada

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

New snow may have a hard time bonding to existing crusts and hard surfaces. Approach wind loaded terrain with caution and monitor snowfall amounts in your area as they will vary across the region.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been reported.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

5-10cm new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on most aspects and elevations. Our field team is reporting that this small amount of new snow is not bonding well to crusty surfaces. More snow is forecast later in the week and this poor bond will be a problem.

The crust ranges from roughly 1 to 10 cm. Below this crust, the snowpack is moist and generally well settled and bonding, with no current layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Cloudy. 5cm of new snow. Wind from the east at 10 km/h. Temperature -2 in the alpine.

Thursday

Cloudy. Flurries possible. Wind from the southeast at 30 km/h. Temperature 1 C. Freezing levels rising to1200 m.

Friday

Cloudy. Mix of rain and snow up to 8cm. Wind from the southeast at 40 km/h. Temperature +2 C. Freezing level around 1300 m.

Saturday

Cloudy. Mix of rain and snow up to 15cm above freezing levels. Wind from the southwest at 40 km/h. Temperature +1 C in the alpine. Freezing levels up to 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Snowfall amounts were variable over the last 24 hrs. In places that did get enough snow to form wind slabs, these wind slabs will be poorly bonded to crusty surfaces and will be easily triggered.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 2nd, 2023 4:00PM