Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 8th, 2015 8:43AM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

While the storm is finally over, remain cautious, especially with your approach to terrain choices in the Alpine Monday.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

The Pineapple Express is finally done, unfortunately it looks like warm temperatures are here to stay. Monday: Freezing Level around 1600m, Strong SW winds in the alpine, light variable winds at lower elevations, 2 to 6mm of precipitation. On Tuesday alpine winds should remain moderate to strong, but they will likely switch to the W/NW. On Wednesday ridgetop winds are expected to increase to strong SW as freezing levels climb throughout the day, looks like they could go as high as 2200m. No precipitation expected.

Avalanche Summary

At the height of the storm in the northern portion of the region avalanches ran to size 3 on the February 1st Crust. Wet avalanches below 1950m were also observed. In the southern portion of the region several small glide avalanche releases were observed on rock slabs below treeline.

Snowpack Summary

The wet warm storm has produced 50 to as much as 80cm of snow above 2200m in the north of the region. The snow is wet below 2000m and saturated below treeline. Moderate to strong winds out of the SW through SE have likely formed deep slabs at upper elevations. In the Southern portion of the region it sounds like a bit of cooling produced 15 cm of new snow Friday night, previously rain had fallen to ridgetop. All the new snow rests on the early February rain crust. We have not received any reports of avalanches failing below this stout crust. Warm temps this week should help all the new storm snow to settle and stabilize.

Problems

Storm Slabs

While warm temperatures should help the snowpack to settle and stabilize this week it's important to remain sceptical of alpine stability. Upper elevations saw strong SW winds and as much as a meter of new snow which likely created very large slabs.

Slopes receiving direct sun for the first time since the storm could produce natural avalanches.>If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.>The new snow will require a bit of time to settle and stabilize.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 6

Loose Wet

It doesn't look like there will be an overnight refreeze below 1500m for the foreseeable future. While it's probably mostly slop below treeline, remain cautious of terrain traps where loose snow avalanches could be a concern.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Be very cautious with gully features.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 9th, 2015 2:00PM