Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 2nd, 2017 4:08PM

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

swerner, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

New snow and wind will likely build fresh and reactive wind slabs at upper elevations on leeward slopes.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

The cold arctic outflow will reside as an active weather pattern reaches the Coast tomorrow bringing slightly warmer temperatures, strong winds and new snow at higher elevations.Friday: Snow amounts 5-10 cm with ridgetop winds light-moderate from the southeast. Alpine temperatures near 0 degrees and freezing levels rising to 800 m.Saturday: Snow amounts 10-20 cm with ridgetop winds light-gusting strong from the southwest. Alpine temperatures near 0 degrees and freezing levels near 700 m.Sunday: Heavy precipitation expected to be a mix of snow and rain. Ridetop winds light-gusting strong from the southwest and freezing levels rising to 100 m.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche observations have been reported on Thursday. Reactive wind slabs at higher elevations will be the primary concern and loose dry sluffing from steeper terrain features are likely. The new snow will have a poor bond to the old snow surfaces and firm crust.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of new snow is expected to fall over the region today. This new storm snow will likely have a poor bond to the old snow surfaces which consist of a firm crust and hard wind press. The mid and lower snowpack are settled and well bonded with the average snowpack depth up to 300 cm at treeline.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow combined with winds will build fresh wind slabs on leeward terrain features. New wind slabs will likely have a poor bond to the old snow surfaces which comprise of hard snow and a firm crust. Sluffing from steeper terrain features is likely.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2017 2:00PM