Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 17th, 2019 3:09PM

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

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Wind-affected snow is found almost everywhere in the region.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, light to moderate northwest wind, alpine temperature -10 C.MONDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, moderate to strong northwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C.TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, moderate to strong west wind, alpine temperature -5 C.WEDNESDAY: Early-morning snowfall and afternoon clearing, accumulation trace to 5 cm, light northeast wind, alpine temperature -7 C.

Avalanche Summary

A small wind slab avalanche was observed on a northwest aspect in the north of the region on Saturday. Otherwise, no new avalanches were observed.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface has been heavily wind affected. You will likely find a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, and melt-freeze crust where the wind has scoured down to it. In sheltered areas below treeline, you may find pockets of soft snow that overlies a thick melt-freeze crust. In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two or three weak layers of feathery surface hoar crystals buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent strong winds may have created isolated small slabs in steep terrain features.

Be careful around wind loaded pockets near ridge crests and roll-overs.Look for patterns of wind loading as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 18th, 2019 2:00PM