Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 22nd, 2019 4:40PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

kdevine, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Warm, wet and windy! The South Coast got hammered by a big storm. New snow, rain and strong winds will mean that the snowpack is primed for avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT - Wet flurries, 20-25 cm / southwest winds, 30-50 km/h / alpine low temperature near 0 / freezing level 1200 mWEDNESDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / northwest winds, 10-20 km/h / alpine high temperature near +3 / Freezing level 1700 mTHURSDAY - Mainly cloudy / northwest winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 1200 m / alpine temperature inversionFRIDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / northwest winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near +1 / freezing level 1200 m / possible alpine temperature inversion

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle is expected on Tuesday night and throughout the day on Wednesday.There have been no recent reports of avalanches in the South Coast region.Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.

Snowpack Summary

30-50 cm of new snow mixed with rain has fallen over the South Coast region between Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning. This new snow likely sits on a melt freeze crust at treeline. Below treeline the new snow is likely moist to wet depending on how much rain fell during Tuesday night's storm. At upper elevations, where the recent precipitation fell as snow, over 130 cm has accumulated since the stormy weather began last week. At upper elevations in the north of the region near Squamish, there may be a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) buried approximately 80-100 cm. Information on the strength and distribution of this layer is very limited.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs are widespread. Natural and human triggered avalanche activity is likely.

Avoid avalanche terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Loose Wet

Rain has fallen on fresh snow, which will likely result in loose wet avalanches at lower elevations.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2019 2:00PM