Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 30th, 2020 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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Avoid avalanche terrain while heavy rain saturates the snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

High - We are confident the likelihood of avalanche will increase with the arrival of the forecast weather.

Weather Forecast

Thursday night: 30-50 mm of rain to mountain top. Moderate southwest wind. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Friday: 60-100 mm of rain to mountain top. Extreme southwest winds. Freezing level 2500 m.

Saturday: 60-120 mm water equivalent in precipitation overnight, mostly falling as rain to mountain top, turning to snow in the early morning above 500 m. Clearing skies. Wind easing to light northwest. Freezing level dropping to 500 m by midday.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing 5-15 cm new snow. Light southwest wind. Freezing level 400 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, small (size 1) loose wet avalanches were reactive to skier traffic below 1200 m, running far and entraining mass. Loose wet avalanches are expected at all elevations with heavy rainfall Friday.

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack is becoming saturated to mountaintop with heavy rainfall. This will initially mean a loss of cohesion and widespread loose wet avalanche activity. Once refrozen by the following cooling trend, the snowpack will be one burly block with little avalanche potential, 150-250 cm deep around the peaks of the north shore mountains. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy rain.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches expected at all elevations with heavy rainfall.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely - Almost Certain

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 31st, 2020 5:00PM