Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 17th, 2012 9:42AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

Saturday: trace amounts of new snow / light northwesterly winds / freezing level @ 300m Sunday: very light snowfall in the day intensifying slightly in the afternoon and overnight / moderate southerly winds / freezing level @ 400m Monday: trace amounts of snowfall / moderate southwest winds / freezing level @ 700m

Avalanche Summary

Surface sluffing in steep terrain was reported by many operators in the region on Thursday. Otherwise, no new avalanche activity to report.

Snowpack Summary

Light amounts of recent snowfall now sit over a strong melt freeze crust that exists below 1000m on all aspects and over wind-pressed powder on shaded alpine features. The aforementioned new snow may sit over a buried surface hoar layer at treeline and below. This surface hoar layer seems most prevalent in protected inland areas. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong; however, a facet layer buried around Jan 20th is on the radar of some operators, although triggering seems unlikely. This layer lies approximately 110-140 cm below the surface and shows hard yet sudden planar results in isolated snowpack tests.

Problems

Loose Dry

Sluffing is most likely in steeper terrain. Watch for loose snow avalanches in combination with terrain traps, gullies and cliff features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 18th, 2012 9:00AM