Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 6th, 2017 4:15PM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

Storm slabs will likely be most reactive in wind effected terrain. Use caution as you transition into wind effected snow.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, southwesterly winds / Freezing level valley bottom.Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, southeasterly winds/ Freezing level valley bottom.Thursday: 10-15 cm new snow / Strong, southwesterly winds / Freezing level 500m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

35-50 cm(lower amounts in the north) of recent storm snow has buried a wide variety of old snow surfaces including stiff wind slab or wind effected snow at upper elevations, sun crust on steep southerly slopes, surface hoar and surface facets in sheltered locations. The mid-January surface hoar and facet interface is now buried 50-80 cm and the mid-December facets down 90-120 cm remain a concern especially in shallower snowpack areas like the Duffey, Hurley and/ or South Chilcotins. These deeper weaknesses warrant monitoring especially through periods of more load. In southern areas (Coquihalla), the lower snowpack is reportedly well settled(stronger), than it is to the north.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Lingering storm slabs may remain reactive to human triggers.

Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, shotting cracks, or recent natural avalanching.Use small slopes with low consequence to test the bond of the storm snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 7th, 2017 2:00PM