Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 5th, 2019 4:18PM

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

Avalanche Canada swerner, Avalanche Canada

Wind slabs have formed on a variety of aspects due to shifting winds. Natural avalanche activity has tapered off but human triggered avalanches remain possible.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

The arctic ridge will continue to bring cold, outflow winds and dry weather to the coast tomorrow. Thursday will see a slight change when the low slides south bringing some precipitation. Wednesday: Sunny with some cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures near -8 with light ridgetop winds from the North.Thursday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine temperatures near -6 with light ridgetop winds from the North and freezing levels 800 m.Friday: A mix of sun and cloud isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures near -10 with light ridgetop winds from the northeast. Freezing levels valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, wind slabs were easily triggered by the weight of a person up to size 1. Reverse loading from northerly winds has formed reactive wind slabs on southwesterly slopes.

Snowpack Summary

15-30 cm of recent new snow has been redistributed by southwesterly winds shifting to north and east. This is sitting on a crust on all but northerly aspects, wind-affected surfaces in the alpine, and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar and/or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below.Below this down 50-80 cm sits a crust that formed mid-January right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m. Additionally at this depth, feathery surface hoar may be found in shady sheltered areas at treeline. This surface hoar layer is reported to be most prevalent in the far southeast of the region near Manning Park.The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent new snow fell in conjunction with strong southwest wind. Expect to see wind slabs on a variety of aspects as the wind shifts to the northeast.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 6th, 2019 2:00PM

Login