Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Feb 9 – 10, 2015Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Uncertainty surrounding a dynamic freezing level will likely keep alpine danger ratings elevated through the week.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–6
    Warm temps should continue to help the storm snow to settle and stabilize on Tuesday. The storm slab may become more sensitive to human triggering Wednesday as wind speed and the freezing level increase. Stay alert for changing conditions.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Loose wet avalanches should be most problematic below treeline Tuesday, but they could be a problem at upper elevations as the freezing level begins to climb mid-week.

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tuesday looks dry and warm with a freezing level around 1800m. Winds are expected to be light at all elevations. Wednesday also looks dry, but winds are expected to kick up a bit, look for moderate to strong SW winds at ridgetop and light variable winds at treeline. The freezing level should climb to around 2200m by Wednesday afternoon. Strong SW winds at ridgetop should continue into Thursday as the freezing level continues to climb. The freezing level could be as high as 3000m by Thursday evening.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday avalanche activity was limited to pin wheeling from solar aspects. At the height of the storm in the northern portion of the region avalanches ran to size 3 on the early February crust. Wet avalanches below 1950m were also observed. In the southern portion of the region several small glide avalanche releases were observed on rock slabs below treeline.

Snowpack Summary

The wet warm storm produced 50 to 80cm of snow above 2200m in the north of the region and around 30cm in the southern portion of the region accompanied by moderate to strong winds out of the SW through SE  . This snow rests on the stout early February rain crust. The bond to this crust continues to strengthen with ongoing warm temperatures. (We have not received any reports of avalanches failing below this crust.) The snow is wet below 2000m and saturated below treeline.  Warm temps this week should continue to help all the new storm snow to settle and stabilize.

Regions covered