Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 8th, 2015 8:39AM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

While the storm is finally over, remain cautious, especially with your approach to terrain choices in the Alpine Monday.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

The Pineapple Express is finally done, unfortunately it looks like warm temperatures are here to stay. Monday: Freezing Level at 1700m, light variable winds, 3 to 5mm of precipitation. Tuesday looks very similar. On Wednesday ridgetop winds are expected to increase to moderate SW as freezing levels climb throughout the day, looks like they could go as high as 2300m. No precipitation expected.

Avalanche Summary

Explosive control work Saturday produced storm slab avalanches to size 3 running 50 to 150cm in depth on the early February crust. Natural loose wet avalanches were reported to have run in the last 48 hours to size 2 as high as 2150m.

Snowpack Summary

The wet warm storm has produced 30 to as much as 100cm of snow above 2200m. The snow is wet below 2000m and saturated below treeline. Moderate to strong winds out of the SW through SE have likely formed deep slabs at upper elevations. All the new snow rests on the early February rain crust which remains stout and supportive. Avalanches have been running on the crust or on mid storm instabilities. We have not received any reports of avalanches running below the crust. Reports indicate that the bond between the storm snow and crust is strengthening. Warm temps should allow that trend to continue.

Problems

Storm Slabs

While warm temperatures should help the snowpack to settle and stabilize this week it's important to remain sceptical of alpine stability. Upper elevations saw strong SW winds and as much as a meter of new snow which likely created very large slabs.

The new snow will require a bit of time to settle and stabilize.>If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.>Slopes receiving direct sun for the first time since the storm could produce natural avalanches.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 6

Loose Wet

It doesn't look like there will be an overnight refreeze below 1500m for the foreseeable future. While it's probably mostly slop below treeline, remain cautious of terrain traps where loose snow avalanches could be a concern.

Be very cautious with gully features.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 9th, 2015 2:00PM