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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 19th, 2012–Feb 20th, 2012
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Northwest Coastal.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Monday: moderate snowfall occurring between late afternoon and early Tuesday morning / moderate to strong southwest winds / freezing level @ 600m Tuesday: Moderate to heavy snowfall in the afternoon, continuing into Wednesday morning / strong southwest winds / freezing level @ 600m Wednesday: Moderate snowfall in the morning easing off by mid-day / strong northwest winds / freezing level@ 400m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches to report. Expect slab avalanche activity in response to weather forecast for Monday afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

The last week has seen dribs and drabs of snowfall with light winds in most areas. The recently fallen snow sits over a strong melt freeze crust that exists below 1000m on all aspects and over wind-pressed powder on shaded alpine features. Sandwiched between the newer snow and the aforementioned older surfaces may be a buried surface hoar layer at treeline and below. This surface hoar layer seems most prevalent in protected inland areas. Where it exists, we expect to see gradually increasing reactivity in the surface hoar interface with loading and slab development forecast for this week. Check out our Forecaster's Blog for some insight on incremental loading. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong winds combined with new snowfall will create new and reactive wind slabs on lee terrain. Expect wind slab development to occur throughout Monday.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 4