Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 1st, 2015 8:58AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Conditions have changed and new wind slabs have increased the avalanche danger.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Another pacific frontal system will bring up to 10cm of snow to the Coast on Monday. Lingering flurries are expected on Tuesday before a dry ridge of high pressure develops for Wednesday. Ridgetop winds are forecast to be moderate to strong from the southwest on Monday, and then decrease to light on Tuesday and Wednesday. Freezing levels should hover around 1000m for the forecast period.

Avalanche Summary

At the time of publishing this bulletin, no new avalanches had been reported. That said, I'm sure thin wind slabs may have been easily triggered in response to Sunday's weather. With more snow on the way, I expect continued wind slab activity in lee terrain at treeline and above.

Snowpack Summary

Light to locally moderate amounts of new snow overlie a hard rain crust that exists up to at least 2100m. In some areas the new accumulations may have been shifted by moderate southwest winds into new wind slabs which may be especially reactive due to the underlying crust.Deeper snowpack weaknesses have become unreactive on account of the strong capping crust layer.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Continued light snowfall and southwest winds may form new wind slabs in upper elevation terrain. Watch for triggering in the lee of ridge crests and terrain breaks.

Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 2nd, 2015 2:00PM