Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2019 4:05PM

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

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Wind slabs formed by strong outflow winds may be reactive on Monday. Use added caution and choose conservative routes, particularly where wind effect is observed.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, strong to extreme northeast wind, alpine temperature -18 C.MONDAY: Clear skies, moderate northeast wind, alpine temperature -12 C.TUESDAY: Clear skies with afternoon clouds, light to moderate north wind, alpine temperature -6 C.WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with light snowfall, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

Avalanche Summary

Wind slabs and storm slabs were reactive to skier traffic on Saturday, generally producing small avalanches. See here for an example.

Snowpack Summary

Strong north to east wind redistributed the 40 cm of recent storm snow, which has created wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features. This snow overlies wind-affected surfaces in the high alpine and a thick melt-freeze crust at and below treeline.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 or three weak layers of feathery surface hoar crystals between 50 and 100 cm deep. These weak layers are likely most prominent in sheltered and shaded terrain. Also in the north of the region, the base of the snowpack may be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong to extreme northeast winds have redistributed the recent storm snow and created wind slabs in exposed terrain. Expect the wind slabs to be reactive to human traffic, particularly in cross-loaded and lee terrain features near ridges.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagation.Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.Good day to make conservative terrain choices, particularly in wind-affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Feb 4th, 2019 2:00PM