Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 12th, 2017 4:41PM

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

mgrist, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

A thin rain crust is helping to keep wind slabs in check at lower elevations, but they may remain touchy in the alpine - especially if the sun hits them.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

We're in a steady pattern with no snow, some sunshine and seasonal temperatures until Sunday afternoon, when it will start to get warm. FRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and no new snow. Winds light gusting to moderate from the west. Freezing level 200m and alpine temperatures to -2 Celcius. SATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and no new snow. Winds light to moderate from the south. Freezing level 700m and alpine temperatures to -1 Celcius. SUNDAY: Cloudy with a chance of flurries. Winds light westerly. Freezing level rising throughout the day to 1500m.

Avalanche Summary

No new observed.

Snowpack Summary

The mountains of the South Coast region received 15-20cm of snow over Sunday and Monday. The southwest flow of the storm, followed by strong northeast winds on Tuesday resulted in pockets of wind slab being formed on all aspects in exposed areas. A thin rain crust can be found 5cm below the surface at treeline and below. This has limited the wind redistribution at lower elevations. The new wind slabs have already gained considerable strength but could remain reactive on steeper unsupported terrain at higher elevations where this crust does not exist. The new snow came in wet and heavy (especially in the North Shore mountains) and bonded well to 15 cm of settling snow from last Friday's storm. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and stable.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Pockets of wind slab are lingering near exposed terrain features on a range of aspects at upper elevations. Avoid steep, unsupported terrain at higher elevations where slabs are more likely to stay reactive.

Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 13th, 2017 2:00PM