Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 18th, 2017 4:48PM

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

cam_c, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Warm wet weather continues. Where it rains, watch out for loose wet snow (or wet slabs in the alpine); where it snows, watch out for storm slabs.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: A mix of snow and rain (20mm water equivalent). Winds light gusting to moderate from the southwest. Freezing level around 1300m and alpine temperatures to +2 Celsius.FRIDAY: Unsettled weather with occasional rain or snow (5mm water equivalent). Winds light - moderate from the east. Freezing level 1500m and alpine high temperatures to +4 Celsius.SATURDAY: Continued unsettled weather with occasional rain or snow (5mm water equivalent). Winds light - moderate from the east. Freezing level 1500m and alpine high temperatures to +4 Celsius. More details can be found on the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports have been limited by the inclement weather, but include evidence of natural wet loose avalanche activity up to Size 1.5.

Snowpack Summary

Heavy rain is saturating the snowpack up to alpine elevations. Crusts on and just below the snow surface have kept the snowpack quite stable and will continue to do so once the temperatures drop below freezing again. Higher up in the alpine, old wind slabs from last week could remain reactive on steeper unsupported terrain, especially if loaded by new snow or saturated by rain. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and stable.

Problems

Loose Wet

Heavy rain is causing the surface snow to become wet and cohesionless.

Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wet Slabs

Watch for rain saturating old wind slabs at the highest elevations in the alpine, or fresh wet snow bonding poorly to the previous snow surface.

Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

If you do encounter areas with >20 cm new snow, rein in your terrain use as storm slabs may also trigger deeper, weaker layers.

Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach run out zones.Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 19th, 2017 2:00PM