Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2012 9:23AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Summary

Confidence

Good - -1

Weather Forecast

Warm daytime temperatures and freezing down to the valley bottoms is expected over the weekend. The freezing level is forecast to rise to about 2000 metres on both Saturday and Sunday. Expect mostly sunny skies and light south to southeast winds through the forecast period.

Avalanche Summary

Explosive control along the Coquihalla corridor produced large avalanches up to size 3.5 from cornice falls pulling slabs on the slopes below. South aspects produced large avalanches running to near full path in the Duffey Lake area. Expect to see continued activity on solar aspects until we get a freeze in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Thin sun crusts are developing on steep solar aspects. The recent storm snow continues to settle and bond in the Duffey Lake area due to the warm temperatures and light winds. Recent cornice growth may be easy to trigger with light loads or from solar radiation. The Coquihalla area is also experiencing warm temperatures and light winds. The storm slab in the Coquihalla is about a metre deep and continues to settle and bond with warm temperatures. Concern for steep solar aspects in the alpine with shallow or variable snowpack depths.

Problems

Cornices

High winds, moderate temperatures and recent snow will have added to a cornice problem. Cornice fall will be easy to initiate and can become a trigger for the slope below.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 6

Storm Slabs

Solar aspects in the alpine may be easily triggered or run naturally due to warm overnight temperatures and daytime solar heating. Avalanches may run full path entraining moist snow below treeline.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 7

Wind Slabs

New windslabs are expected to settle and bond with forecast warm temperatures and light winds.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Feb 4th, 2012 3:00AM