Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 12th, 2019 4:51PM

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

dsaly, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

The deepest deposits of new snow, and potentially most reactive, will be found at higher elevations and in wind-loaded areas.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Flurries, 10-20 cm snow. Treeline temperatures near -7C. Ridgetop winds light to moderate from the east.WEDNESDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Treeline temperatures near -5C. Ridgetop winds light from the east.THURSDAY: Flurries, 10 cm accumulation. Treeline temperatures around -4C, with rising freezing levels. Ridgetop winds light from the southeast.FRIDAY: Snow, 15-20 cm. Alpine temperatures near -2C. Ridgetop winds light to moderate from the southeast.

Avalanche Summary

A few small (size 1) natural avalanches and dry, loose have released with the new snowfall. Over the weekend, small size 1 wind slabs were reactive to skier traffic.

Snowpack Summary

The North Shore mountains picked up around 30 cm new snow over the past few days. Winds have begun to redistribute snowfall with deeper deposits in wind loaded areas. The new snow covers a variety of wind affected surfaces from scoured and wind-pressed to stiff wind slabs as a result of the recent extreme wind event. Widespread wind slabs developed in the alpine with pockets of soft snow in sheltered areas and lower elevations. This layer of wind-affected snow sits above a crust, old wind-pressed snow surfaces, or surface hoar in the most sheltered areas, with little reactivity. Below that, the snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Around 30 cm new snow is expected to accumulate by Wednesday morning. Expect to encounter storm slabs with the deepest and most reactive deposits in wind-loaded areas.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.The recent snow is now hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 13th, 2019 2:00PM