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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 5th, 2023–Feb 6th, 2023

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

Regions

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

carefully assess new snowfall amounts, if you observe greater than 20cm of new snow expect sensitive storm slabs.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday explosive control on the east side of the island triggered a size 1.5 wind slab on a north aspect at treeline. This avalanche ran on the crust from late January.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 70cm of new snow has accumulated above 700m with ongoing southerly wind impacting open terrain. This snow has fallen above a melt-freeze crust. The crust is up to 10 cm thick at lower elevations and tapers down to 1 cm thick on shaded or high elevation terrain. Below this crust, the snowpack is generally strong and bonded.

As the freezing level rises the snow surface below treeline will become wet.

Check out this MIN from our field team to learn more.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

increasing cloud with around 5cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Light to moderate west winds shifting to southwest. Freezing level around 1000m.

Monday

Stormy with 5 to 30cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Moderate to strong southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 1500m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 5 to 15cm of new snow expected. Moderate southwest winds and freezing levels falling throughout the day to 500m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected. Light southerly winds and a high of -5 at 1500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.