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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 18th, 2018–Jan 19th, 2018
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
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Northwest Coastal.

Be observant of wind effect as you transition to higher elevations. Expect storms slabs to be more reactive in wind affected terrain.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Friday: Mainly cloudy. Light east winds. Alpine high temperatures to -3Saturday: Cloudy with scattered flurries bringing 2-5 cm of new snow. Light to moderate southeast winds. Alpine high temperatures to -5.Sunday: Cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Moderate east winds. Alpine high temperatures of -6.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Thursday showed ski cutting producing loose wet releases to Size 1 in steep terrain in the Shames area. Several older Size 1.5 natural storm slab releases were also noted.  Looking forward, the storm slabs that formed over Thursday may remain reactive to human triggering on Friday. This concern will be greatest in wind affected areas at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Snowfall over Wednesday and Thursday brought about 20 cm of new snow to the region. Moderate southwest winds over Thursday promoted storm slab formation at higher elevations and particularly in lee areas subject to wind loading. The new snow has buried a mix of old wind slabs and temperature crusts left over from the weekend. Professionals have been monitoring a few layers in the upper snowpack, including crusts and surface hoar layers buried 40-80 cm below the surface. Although these layers have been reactive in recent snowpack tests, they have not produced avalanches lately. The lower snowpack is generally strong, with the exception of areas around Stewart and further north where a basal crust and facets exist.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Thursday's new snow and southwest winds formed fresh storm slabs. Slabs are likely to be touchiest in wind affected areas, and particularly in the immediate lee of ridgecrests and exposed terrain features.
Use ridges or ribs to avoid steep pockets of wind loaded snow.Use extra caution in lee areas. Slabs will be touchier where wind loading has occurred.The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2