Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 9th, 2017 4:45PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is high. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

Natural and human triggered avalanches remain very likely on Friday. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Thursday night: 15-30 cm new snow / Strong, southwesterly winds/ Freezing level dropping to around 1000m.Friday: 15-20 cm new snow / Strong, southwesterly winds / Freezing level around 800 m.Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate, southwesterly winds/ Freezing level hovering around 1000 m.Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate, southwesterly winds / Freezing level rising to around 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

Forecast continued heavy snow and strong winds Thursday night and into Friday are keeping the avalanche danger HIGH on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

An additional 40+ cm of snow on Thursday added to the 35-50 cm(lower amounts in the north) of recent storm snow that is sitting on a wide variety of old snow surfaces including stiff wind slab or wind effected snow at upper elevations, sun crust on steep southerly slopes, surface hoar and surface facets in sheltered locations. The mid-January surface hoar and facet interface is now buried 90-120 cm and the mid-December facets down 130-160 cm remain a concern especially in shallower snowpack areas like the Duffey, Hurley and/ or South Chilcotins. These deeper weaknesses warrant monitoring, especially through periods of rapid loading. In southern areas (Coquihalla), the lower snowpack is reportedly well settled(stronger), than it is to the north.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Continued snow and wind are making the existing storm slabs increasing dangerous.

Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

This problem is more prevalent in the far north areas of the region and is a low likelihood, high consequence scenario that will need to be monitored as snow loads increase.

Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Feb 10th, 2017 2:00PM