Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 1st, 2019 5:28PM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Fresh storm slabs remain primed for human triggers. Use small slopes without consequence to test the bond of the new snow.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Snow; 5-10 cm. / Moderate to strong, southwesterly winds / Low -7 / Freezing level 1000 m.SATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / Light, westerly winds / High -8 C / Freezing level dropping rapidly to 500 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 1-3 cm. / Light, northwesterly winds / High-15 C / Freezing level surface.MONDAY: Mostly sunny / Light, northwesterly winds / High -15 C / Freezing level surface.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous explosive triggered size 2 storm slab avalanches were reported near Whistler on Friday. I would expect these storm slabs to remain reactive to human triggers on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

40-50 cm of new snow with strong southwesterly winds have covered a variety of snow surfaces. These include crusts on all but northerly aspects, wind-pressed surfaces on northerly aspects in the alpine, and a mixture of surface hoar (weak feathery crystals) and surface facets (sugary grains) in terrain sheltered from wind/sun at treeline and below.There have been no recent avalanches reported on the weak layers deeper in the upper snowpack.The remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Fresh storm slabs are primed for human triggers. Start in simple terrain while you test the bond of the new snow.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.Stay alert to changing conditions with elevation.Use small slopes without consequence to test the bond of the new snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 2nd, 2019 2:00PM