Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 9th, 2014 8:39AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
jlammers,
Avalanche Canada
You may be powder-starved, but mother nature is calling the shots with touchy, high consequence conditions expected for the forecast period. Conservative terrain selection will become critical.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Monday
Weather Forecast
The ridge of high pressure and the associated cold arctic air is on its way out giving way to a more zonal flow. A series of punchy systems will impact the Coast for the forecast period.Monday: Heavy snowfall / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at surfaceTuesday: Heavy snowfall / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at surfaceWednesday: Moderate snowfall / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 300m
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported. I would expect touchy storm slab conditions with forecast weather over the next few days.
Snowpack Summary
A highly variable snow surface includes surface facets, patchy surface hoar, thin wind slabs, scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Once buried by the forecast storm snow, surface hoar or a thin layer of facets sitting on a hard surface will likely become a persistent weak layer.The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some areas, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Forecast heavy snowfall will likely create a new and reactive storm slab. Due to freshly buried weak layers, touchy conditions may persist for a while. Watch for increased triggering in wind-affected terrain.
The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.>Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 10th, 2014 2:00PM
