Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 12th, 2015 9:24AM

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

Avalanche Canada esharp, Avalanche Canada

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South Coast.

Spring-like conditions persist across the South Coast.  Avalanche hazard is closely linked to warming, rain, and/or sun especially at higher elevations in the North of the region where it may have been possible to find cooler snow until recently.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Freezing levels will remain high until a cold front brings moderate precipitation and lowering freezing levels to the coast.   A week ridge is expected to build over the province by Sunday causing a return to cooler and drier conditions.  The freezing level on Friday is forecast to peak at 3000m with showers starting in the afternoon and light to moderate winds from the southwest.  Showers will continue into Saturday as the freezing level falls to 2000m and winds become more westerly.  Northwesterly winds on Sunday will mean continued cooling with isolated showers and/or flurries above 1500m expected.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche have been reported recently although I expect wind slabs could be reactive in the high alpine and loose wet avalanche are probably still popping off bellow the freezing level and on steep alpine slopes that see brief periods of sun.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of new snow has fallen since the weekend in the high alpine where moderate to strong southwest winds have formed isolate pockets of windslabs.  In the south of the region around 40-50 cm of snow sits above the supportive rain crust from early February. Further north the crust is buried closer to 1m down.   The snow is moist below 2000m and a breakable melt-freeze curst might be encountered in between 1400m to 1900m.  The snow is reported to be saturated at lower elevations and reports suggest that stumps and creeks are exposed closer to valley bottom.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
As the freezing level continues to rise loose wet avalanches could become problematic at higher elevations where precipitation falls as rain. Brief periods of sun will also increase the likelihood of avalanche activity on steep south facing slopes.
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: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Isolated pockets of wind slab can be found at upper elevations although these are likely to be gaining strength with the warm conditions.
The new snow will likely require a bit more time to settle and stabilize.>If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Feb 13th, 2015 2:00PM

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