Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 19th, 2020 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low.

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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Thursday will be another great day to soak in some sun. Watch out for wet snow on sun-exposed slopes and stand back from corniced ridges.

Summary

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern; little change is expected for several days.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, light southwest wind, treeline temperature 1 C, freezing level 1500 m.

THURSDAY: Clear skies, light to moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature 1 C, freezing level 1600 m.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature 0 C, freezing level 1300 m.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, moderate northwest wind, treelin temperature -2 C, freezing level 800 m.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches were observed in the region. The last reported activity was from the weekend, where wind and storm slab avalanches were triggered by riders at treeline and alpine elevations in the north of the region.

Snowpack Summary

Clear skies and an elevated freezing level are warming the snowpack and allowing for widespread surface hoar growth. The surface snow may become wet and loose during the heat of the day on sun-exposed slopes. Overhanging cornices may also weaken with the heat. 

The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. Numerous melt-freeze crusts exist in the snowpack and all reports indicate that overlying layers are bonding well to them.

The snowpack depth varies from around 200 to 250 cm at the peaks of the North Shore mountains (1400 m) and rapidly decreases with elevation to no snow below 1000 m.

Terrain and Travel

  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet

Valid until: Feb 20th, 2020 5:00PM