Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 24th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada dboucher, Avalanche Canada

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Recently formed wind slabs are expected to be still reactive to human-triggering, especially in eastern parts of the region which received more recent storm snow. 

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

A strong ridge of high pressure keeps BC dry until a major weather pattern change takes place beginning this weekend. 

THURSDAY NIGHT: Clear, no precipitation, 10-15 km/h northwesterly wind, treeline low temperature -5 C, freezing level at 350 m.

FRIDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, 5-10 km/h westerly wind, treeline high temperature -3 C, freezing level at 850 m.

SATURDAY: Increasing cloudiness with light snow beginning in the late afternoon, 1-2 cm, 30-50 km/h southerly wind, treeline high temperature -1 C, freezing level at 1200 m.

SUNDAY: Snow heavy at times, 30-40 cm, 40-60 km/h southerly wind, treeline high temperaure -2 C, freezing level at 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was reported on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent strong northly winds have redistributed last weekend storm snow into wind slabs up to 1 m on lee slopes and scoured down to the crust in exposed terrain.

The mid-February crust is down around 25-50 cm and exists on all aspects and elevations. There is still a fair bit of uncertainty as to how the recent snow is bonding to this crust but an observation from the North Shore suggests that it is bonding well. 

The late-January melt-freeze crust is now down around 80 cm and seems to be well bonded to the surrounding 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.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recently formed wind slabs are expected to be still reactive to human-triggering due to cold temperatures, especially where they overlie a firm crust. 

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 25th, 2022 4:00PM