Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 7th, 2019 4:12PM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

The incoming storm is expected to bring rain on top of snow, creating a good recipe for avalanches by Tuesday night.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: 15-20 cm snow beginning late morning. Freezing level climbing from 900 m to 1700 m by evening, and snow turning to rain on the North Shore. Moderate to strong south-easterly winds. Alpine high -1. Expect a further 20-30 mm/cm overnight.WEDNESDAY: 20-30 cm snow above about 1700 m, with slush/rain below. Moderate south-easterly winds. Alpine high near -1. Expect a further 25-30 mm/cm overnight. THURSDAY: 10-20 cm snow above about 1700 m. Moderate southerly winds. More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.

Snowpack Summary

At alpine and treeline elevations in the north of the region, 70-100 cm recent storm snow is slowly settling. Recent snowpack tests around treeline indicated some storm snow instabilities. Below the recent storm snow, a melt freeze crust exists, with associated facets (sugar snow) in some areas. Further south on the North Shore mountains, around 10 cm snow overlies a crust.

Problems

Storm Slabs

New storm slabs are expected to develop by afternoon, especially on slopes lee to the wind.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Lingering cornices may be sensitive to human triggers and new loading.

Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.Be aware of the potential for cornices failures to trigger slab avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 8th, 2019 2:00PM