Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 18th, 2019 6:22PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

The danger may be higher in Manning Park, where there have been reports of whumpfing on a buried weak layer.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy, moderate northwest wind, alpine temperatures drop to -10 C.TUESDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulations of 5-10 cm, moderate northwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, moderate northeast wind, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northeast wind, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.

Avalanche Summary

A few human triggered avalanches were reported in the Duffey area over the weekend. One was a size 2 wind slab on a steep rocky southwest-facing alpine feature (see MIN report for details). Another was a size 2 avalanche on 25 cm deep crust layer in a southwest-facing clearing below treeline (see this MIN report for details). On Friday, another isolated wind slab avalanche (size 2) was triggered by a skier on a east-facing alpine feature. One isolated natural size 2 avalanche was observed on a west aspect in the Coquihalla over the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Surface conditions are highly variable throughout the region. Most exposed terrain is wind affected, but some sheltered pockets may have 5-15 cm of low density snow. South-facing slopes may have a thin sun crust on the surface. In the Manning Park area, there have been some reports of whumpfing and settlements on a 20 cm deep layer of facets. Throughout the region, several crusts can be found 20 to 60 cm below the surface. Some softer surface hoar and faceted snow may be found around these crusts, but have produced little avalanche activity over the past month. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Watch for wind slabs forming in exposed alpine and upper treeline terrain.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 19th, 2019 2:00PM

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