Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 18th, 2019 4:24PM

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

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Finally some new snow! But use caution during your travels, as it may not bond well to the underlying wind-affected snow. It will fall with strong northwest wind, so use particular caution in lee terrain features.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, strong west wind, alpine temperature -6 C.TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, moderate to strong northwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C.WEDNESDAY: Early-morning snowfall and afternoon clearing, accumulation trace to 5 cm, light northeast wind, alpine temperature -7 C.THURSDAY: Increasing clouds over the day, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -7 C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

New snow on Tuesday will fall onto a heavily wind-affected snow surface. The new snow may form touchy wind slabs quickly, as the storm will have associated strong northwest wind. Beneath the new snow lies a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, and melt-freeze crust. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, the new snow will fall onto pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft faceted snow. In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two or three weak layers of surface hoar buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Upwards of 20 cm of new snow should fall in parts of the region with strong northwest wind. This may form touchy slabs, particularly in lee terrain features near ridges. In sheltered areas without wind, use caution on all aspects.

Look for patterns of wind loading as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be careful around wind loaded pockets near ridge crests and roll-overs.Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 19th, 2019 2:00PM