Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 14th, 2017 4:13PM

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

mgrist, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Watch for loose, wet snow on slopes facing the sun. Some wind slabs may still be lurking on a wide range of aspects at alpine elevations near ridge crest.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

We're in a warming trend with no snow and some sunshine Sunday. On Monday-Tuesday the floodgates open... stay tuned for more details. SUNDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and no new snow.Â Winds light - moderate westerly. Alpine temperatures range from 0 to +3 ; freezing level 1100m, rising sharply at the end of the day. MONDAY: Mix of snow and rain, starting in the morning. Winds light gusting to moderate from the southwest. Freezing level 2200m and alpine temperatures to +1 Celcius. TUESDAY: Rain. Winds moderate to strong from the south. Freezing level 2000m and alpine high temperatures to +4 Celcius!

Avalanche Summary

No new observed.

Snowpack Summary

We've had some sunshine and warm temperatures (as high as +6 on Grouse mountain) at higher elevations on Saturday. Expect to find a lovely sun crust on solar (south) aspects. Earlier in the week, pockets of wind slab formed on exposed aspects at higher elevations. A thick crust can be found 5-10cm below the surface at treeline and below, and has limited the wind redistribution at lower elevations. The new wind slabs have already gained considerable strength but could remain reactive on steeper unsupported terrain at alpine elevations where this crust does not exist. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and stable.

Problems

Loose Wet

Watch out for daytime warming and sun effect on steep southerly slopes during the day.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Pockets of wind slab are lingering near exposed terrain features on a range of aspects at upper elevations. Avoid steep, unsupported terrain at higher elevations where slabs are more likely to stay reactive.

Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 15th, 2017 2:00PM