Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 19th, 2015 7:56AM

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

Peter, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Conditions are improving but continue to exercise caution in wind affected terrain and during periods of intense sunshine.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A building ridge of high pressure should give the South Coast dry conditions with a mix of sun and cloud for the next few days. The freezing level is around 1000 m on Tuesday but could bump up to 1800-2000 m on Wednesday/Thursday. Ridge winds should be light and variable. The next significant weather system might reach our region on Friday bringing moderate snow or rain.

Avalanche Summary

Several size 2 natural wind slabs were observed throughout the region on the weekend. The storm slab was reported to be sensitive to rider triggered at and below treeline in the Northern part of the region on Sunday. Here it was failing on the crust/surface hoar interface down around 35 cm.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snowfall amounts vary from north to south with an average of 25-35 cm of new snow near the Duffey Lake Road and 40-60 cm in the Cascades (Coquihalla and Allison Pass). Strong W-SW winds have formed deep and dense wind slabs in wind-affected terrain. The fresh storm and wind slabs overlie a hard crust and/or surface hoar. Recent snowpack tests show the potential for riders to trigger avalanches at this interface below the storm snow. Deeper snowpack weaknesses are still on our radar, but seem to be dormant for the time being.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent winds have built wind slabs on lee slopes. These may be possible to trigger with the weight of a person in steep unsupported terrain.

Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Wet

Expect loose wet slides on steep sun-exposed slopes if the sun is out. Move to cooler shady slopes if the snow surface is getting moist or wet.

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

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 20th, 2015 2:00PM