Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 20th, 2020 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low.

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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Friday will be another great day to soak in some sun before the next storm approaches. Stand back from corniced ridges and avoid travelling beneath them.

Summary

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, light to moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature 1 C, freezing level 1500 m.

FRIDAY: Clear skies with late afternoon clouds, moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature -1 C, freezing level 1300 m.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 15 to 20 cm, moderate west wind, treeline temperature -2 C, freezing level 800 m.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 C, freezing level 500 m.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches were observed in the region.

Snowpack Summary

Clear skies and an elevated freezing level are warming the snowpack and allowing for widespread surface hoar growth above a crust. The surface snow may become wet and loose during the heat of the day on sun-exposed slopes. Overhanging cornices may also weaken with the heat. 

The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. Numerous melt-freeze crusts exist in the snowpack and all reports indicate that overlying layers are bonding well to them.

The snowpack depth varies from around 200 to 250 cm at the peaks of the North Shore mountains (1400 m) and rapidly decreases with elevation to no snow below 1000 m.

Terrain and Travel

  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet

Valid until: Feb 21st, 2020 5:00PM