Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 24th, 2019–Jan 25th, 2019

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

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

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: South Coast.

Storm slabs at upper elevations may be reactive due to rising temperatures. If temperatures do not rise enough to melt the surface crust at lower elevations, the hazard will be low at treeline and below.

Confidence

Low - Freezing levels are uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy / northwest winds, 20-30 km/h / alpine low temperature near -1 / freezing level 900 m / alpine temperature inversionFRIDAY - Mainly cloudy / northwest winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near +2 / freezing level 2000 m / alpine temperature inversionSATURDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / west winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near +6 / freezing level 3300 m SUNDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / northwest winds, 40-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near +5 / freezing level 2800 m

Avalanche Summary

A few size 1 explosives triggered avalanches were reported in the region on Wednesday.Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.

Snowpack Summary

30-50 cm of new snow mixed with rain fell over the South Coast region recently. This new snow likely sits on a melt-freeze crust at treeline and below. Expect to find a breakable melt-freeze crust on the surface below approximately 1300 m. This crust may melt and turn to moist or wet snow as freezing levels rise on Friday.At upper elevations, where the recent precipitation fell as snow, over 130 cm has accumulated since the stormy weather began last week. At upper elevations in the north of the region near Squamish, there may be a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) buried approximately 80-100 cm. Information on the strength and distribution of this layer is very limited.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs exist at upper elevations where the snow surface stayed dry in the recent storm. They may be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas and as temperatures rise

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Wet

A spike in freezing levels may break down the surface crust at lower elevations, resulting in the potential for loose wet avalanches.

Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5