Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2019 4:04PM

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

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Substantial precipitation is forecasted Thursday night into Friday, but freezing levels are uncertain. Best to avoid avalanche terrain if you find 30 cm of snow or more accumulated, as the new snow likely won't bond well to underlying surfaces.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall at higher elevations and rain below, accumulation 40 cm, freezing level 1300 m.FRIDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 20 cm, moderate to strong southwest winds, treeline temperature -1 C, freezing level 1200 m.SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 30 to 40 cm, strong to extreme southwest winds, treeline temperature -1 C, freezing level 1300 m.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, light west winds, treeline temperature -2 C, freezing level 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed. Expect avalanche activity to increase substantially over the weekend as new snow accumulates and forms new storm and wind slabs.

Snowpack Summary

The storm incoming Thursday night will drop a substantial amount of new snow above approximately 1200 m. The snow will fall onto sun and temperature crusts at most elevations and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at treeline and alpine elevations. The new snow may not bond well to these surfaces. Below 1200 m, expect the precipitation as rain, and hence, to find rain-soaked snow.Below this, the snowpack is well-settled.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Substantial amounts of snow are forecasted to at least above 1300 m and maybe even lower. Where snow falls, it likely won't bond well to the underlying snowpack. Below the snow line, rain will soak a settled snowpack.

A good day to avoid avalanche terrain, especially if you find 30 cm or more of accumulated snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2019 2:00PM