Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 2nd, 2017–Feb 3rd, 2017

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

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

Regions: South Coast.

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

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.

Avalanche 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