Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 7th, 2017–Feb 8th, 2017

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: South Coast Inland.

Storm slabs will likely be most reactive in wind effected terrain. Avoid slopes where the snow feels stiff or slabby.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy / Light, southeasterly winds/ Freezing sea level.Wednesday night: 10-15 cm new snow / Light to moderate, southerly winds / Freezing level sea level.Thursday: 20-25 cm new snow / Strong, southwesterly winds / Freezing level 800m.Friday: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate, westerly winds / Freezing level 800 m.

Avalanche Summary

A skier triggered size 1 persistent slab avalanche on a small convex feature southest of Bralorne. The weak layer was down 50 cm and suspected to be the surface hoar/facet layer that was buried in mid-January. This layer has been largely dormant but may become active in isolated locations where the weak layer is well preserved. Continue to dig down and test this weak layer to monitor its reactivity.

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.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Lingering storm slabs may remain reactive to human triggers.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

This problem is more prevalent in the far north areas of the region and is a low likelihood, high consequence scenario that will need to be monitored as snow loads increase.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3