Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 20th, 2019 4:24PM

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

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Wind slabs exist in terrain depressions at higher elevations. You may want to plan your day around the next storm, which should arrive midday Thursday and will likely elevate the hazard.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Increasing clouds, light northeast wind, alpine temperature -6 C.THURSDAY: Cloudy with afternoon snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, light to moderate west wind, alpine temperature -6 C.FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 20 to 30 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C.SATURDAY: Early-morning snowfall and clearing over the day, accumulation 5 cm, light east wind, alpine temperature -9 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, cross-loaded and lee terrain features were triggered by skiers, producing small avalanches around 20 to 60 cm deep.

Snowpack Summary

The next storm on Thursday and Friday will add to the recent 15 cm of snow. Upwards of 30 cm of snow is possible with the storm, and it will fall with strong southwest wind. All of this snow overlies a heavily wind affected layer in exposed terrain and pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and faceted snow in sheltered terrain.In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two weak layers of surface hoar buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may remain touchy in lee and cross-loaded terrain features in exposed terrain. New slabs may form in the late afternoon as the next storm approaches.

Look for patterns of wind loading as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be careful around wind-loaded pockets near ridge crests and roll-overs.Fresh wind slabs may form in the afternoon as the next storm rolls in.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 21st, 2019 2:00PM