Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 29th, 2017 3:33PM

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

shorton, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Watch for wind loaded terrain features and avoid terrain traps like cliffs and gullies.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

MONDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods, light west winds, freezing level dropping to 800 m with alpine temperatures around -2 C.TUESDAY: Sunny, light northeast winds, alpine temperatures around -4 C.WEDNESDAY: Sunny, light east winds, alpine temperatures around -6 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, a size 1.5 wind slab avalanche was triggered by skier on a north facing alpine slope in the Sky Pilot area near Squamish. Expect fresh wind slabs to have formed on Sunday and be reactive to human triggers in the lee of exposed ridges.

Snowpack Summary

Sunday's cold front delivered 5-10 cm of new snow to the region. Strong southwest winds have likely formed wind slabs in the lee of exposed ridges. The new snow may bond poorly to sun crusts on steep south facing slopes. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and stable.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for fresh wind slabs on lee and crossloaded features at higher elevations and avoid terrain traps such as cliffs and gullies.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.Use caution around ledges and cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 30th, 2017 2:00PM