Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 17th, 2019–Feb 18th, 2019

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Northwest Coastal.

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

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.

Avalanche 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