Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 18th, 2019–Feb 19th, 2019

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

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

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: 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.

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.

Avalanche 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