Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2019 4:39PM

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

kdevine, Avalanche Canada

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.

Summary

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.

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

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2019 2:00PM