Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 19th, 2019–Feb 20th, 2019

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Northwest Coastal.

The recent snowfall has likely been blown into lee terrain features from strong, variable wind. In sheltered areas, the recent snow may also need a bit more time to bond.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Clearing skies with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, light north wind, alpine temperature -6 C.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northeast wind, alpine temperature -6 C.THURSDAY: Increasing clouds over the day, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C.FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 20 to 30 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -7 C.

Avalanche Summary

A few small (size 1) wind slab avalanches were observed on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Tuesday's storm brought around 20 cm of snow, which fell onto a heavily wind-affected snow surface. The new snow may have formed touchy wind slabs quickly, as the storm had associated strong southwest to northwest wind. Beneath the new snow lies a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, and melt-freeze crust. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, the new snow may have fallen onto pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft faceted snow. In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two weak layers of surface hoar buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Upwards of 20 cm of new snow fell in the region with strong wind that was first southwest and more recently northeast. You may find touchy wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridges. The snow may also need time to stabilize in sheltered areas.

Be careful around wind loaded pockets near ridge crests and roll-overs.Look for patterns of wind loading as you transition into wind affected terrain.New snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2