Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 18th, 2012 10:09AM

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

Avalanche Canada jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Light snowfall / moderate southwest winds increasing to strong in the evening / freezing level @ 500m Monday: moderate snowfall developing in the afternoon continuing overnight / strong southwest winds / freezing level @ 700m Tuesday: moderate snowfall / strong southwest winds / freezing level @ 700m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity to report.

Snowpack Summary

The last week has seen light amounts of snowfall with light winds in most areas. The recently fallen snow sits over a strong melt freeze crust that exists below 1000m on all aspects and over wind-pressed powder on shaded alpine features. Sandwiched between the newer snow and the aforementioned older surfaces may be a buried surface hoar layer at treeline and below. This surface hoar layer seems most prevalent in protected inland areas. We expect to see gradually increasing reactivity in the surface hoar interface with incremental loading forecast for this week. Check out our Forecaster's Blog for some thoughts on incremental loading. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Forecast moderate to strong winds will redistribute snow into pockets of wind slab on lee slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 19th, 2012 9:00AM