Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 30th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
cgarritty,
Avalanche Canada
Avalanche danger is expected to become HIGH before the end of the day as heavy precipitation, strong winds, and rising temperatures make their way into the region. Be aware of conditions changing over the day, especially in overhead terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Thursday night: Cloudy with increasing snowfall bringing 10-20 cm of new snow. Moderate southwest winds.
Friday: Cloudy with continuing snowfall bringing 20-25 cm of new snow, transitioning to rain below about 1700 metres, continuing overnight. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures approaching 0 as freezing levels climb to 1900-2100 metres over the day.
Saturday: Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing 10-15 cm of new snow and 2-day snow totals to 40-60 cm, closer to 5-10 cm below 1500 metres. Moderate to strong southwest winds easing and shifting northwest. Alpine temperatures dropping to -4 as freezing levels fall from 1900 to 1200 metres over the day.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Light southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures around -9.
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday there were numerous reports of natural and human triggered wind and storm slab avalanches up to size 2 on all aspects, and at all elevations.
Due to continuous stormy weather, there have been daily avalanches reported in the region over the past week. Most of these have been storm and wind slab avalanches, on all aspects, at all elevations. They have been triggered by humans, explosives, and naturally.
Looking forward, a bout of heavy precipitation, strong winds, and rising temperatures will promote increasing natural avalanche activity on Friday.
Snowpack Summary
30-45 cm of new snow is expected to fall at higher elevations in the region by end of day on Friday. The new snow will cover wind affected recent snow at alpine and upper treeline elevations while rain saturates the surface below about 1700 metres.
The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong. There is a weak layer of surface hoar that is buried about 90-130 cm deep in the Selkirks and 120-160 cm deep in the Monashees and exists primarily at treeline and below treeline. This layer has not produced any recent avalanches in the region.
Terrain and Travel
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind or rain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Rapid loading of new snow during Friday's storm will build new storm slabs at higher elevations. Forecast strong winds and warm temperatures will speed slab formation as new snow accumulates.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches will be in increasing problem on Friday at lower elevations that see rain instead of snow accumulating. This problem will affect increasingly high elevations over the day.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 31st, 2020 5:00PM
