Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 5th, 2012 8:03AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Cornices and Loose Wet.

triley, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Summary

Confidence

Good - -1

Weather Forecast

Clear skies, light winds, and warm sunny days are expected for the forecast period. Temperatures are expected to drop below zero overnight providing a good re-freeze of the surface snow. Freezing levels during the day are expected to rise to about 1400 metres.

Avalanche Summary

Widespread wet loose and surface slab activity on solar aspects up to size 2.5 in the Coquihalla area. No new reports from the Duffey lake area, on Friday moist slab releases up to size 3.5 were observed running full path on southerly aspects due to solar warming and warm overnight temperatures in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Thin sun crusts are developing on steep solar aspects. The recent storm snow continues to settle and bond in the Duffey Lake area due to the warm temperatures and light winds. Recent cornice growth may be easy to trigger with light loads or from solar radiation. The Coquihalla area is also experiencing warm temperatures and light winds. The storm slab in the Coquihalla is about a metre deep and continues to settle and bond with warm temperatures. Concern for steep solar aspects in the alpine with shallow or variable snowpack depths.

Problems

Cornices

Cornices are likely to be weak in the afternoon due to warm temperatures and strong solar radiation. Cornice falls may release slabs on the slope below.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 6

Loose Wet

Strong solar radiation and warm daytime temperatures may cause moist or wet snow to slide naturally or with light additional triggers.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Feb 6th, 2012 3:00AM