Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 2nd, 2014 8:19AM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

slemieux, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Tonight and Monday: An arctic ridge is building and is there to stay for a little while. Expect mainly sunny skies, moderate to strong NE winds, and cold tempreratures (-15 C in the alpine).Tuesday: The ridge is gaining more strength spreading more dry and cold weather. Moderate NE winds, partly cloudy skies, alpine temperatures around -18 C.Wednesday: More of the same. Mainly clear skies, cold temperatures but winds should diminish to lighter speeds from the N.

Avalanche Summary

Multiple skier triggered slab avalanches size 1 in the alpine were reported yesterday.

Snowpack Summary

The 5-10 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by N and recently by SE winds creating pockets of relatively thin windslabs on immediate lee features in the alpine and at treeline. These windslabs are sitting on weak surfaces like a crust or on the late January surface hoar layer. It has been reported that they are reactive to skier traffic. A well settled mid and lower snowpack is resting on basal facets, which is a concern especially in thin snowpack areas at higher elevations. At the surface of the snowpack, there is widespread growth of surface hoar and surface facetting that will continue with the forecasted clear and cold temperatures.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent and forecasted moderate to strong NE winds will most likely create new windslabs which will be prone to skier or sledder triggering since they are sitting on weak surfaces.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Use extra caution when travelling in areas that have been recently loaded by winds.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deeply buried weak facetted crystals continue to be a concern on slopes with a shallow snowpack.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of weak basal facets.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin, rocky or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

4 - 7

Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2014 2:00PM