Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 31st, 2015–Feb 1st, 2015

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

The Avalanche Danger will rise as new snow accumulates on Sunday. Watch for changing conditions throughout the day.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

A series of pacific frontal systems will bring snowfall to the region throughout the forecast period. There is some model disagreement with forecast snowfall amounts; however, some models are calling for up to 15cm on Sunday and 15cm on Monday. Very light accumulations are forecast for Tuesday. Winds should remain moderate from the southwest with freezing levels hovering around 1000m.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported. If snow accumulations are significant on Sunday, there may be a round of wind slab activity in high elevation terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Last week snow surfaces were heavily saturated by rain up to at least 2100m. Cooling has frozen the snow surface into a hard crust at most elevations. At the highest elevations you might find dense, stubborn wind slabs in lee terrain. New snow over the next few days is expected to form new wind slabs in lee, higher elevation terrain. These wind slabs may be especially reactive due to the underlying crust. Deeper snowpack weaknesses have become unreactive on account of the strong capping crust layer.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow and moderate southwest winds are expected to form new wind slabs in lee terrain. Wind slabs may be especially reactive due to underlying crusts.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2