Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 8th, 2016 8:09AM
The alpine rating is Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSummary
Confidence
Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Weather Forecast
A strong ridge of high pressure is expected to bring sunny skies above valley cloud. Valley cloud tops should be around 1500 m. A warm southerly flow causes alpine temperatures to rise well above 0, with peak warming and sunshine on Tuesday. Some light precipitation may arrive on Thursday with the passage of a warm front.For more details check out http://www.avalanche.ca/weather.
Avalanche Summary
A cycle of size 1-3 avalanches was triggered naturally and by skiers and explosives on Saturday in response to new snow and very strong SW winds. A few further storm/wind slabs were reported on Sunday. During this widespread cycle, only a couple of persistent slabs were reported. While the likelihood of triggering a persistent slab has gone down, the consequences remain high. Forecast warming may make the persistent slab easier to trigger again. Cornice fall or a surface avalanche could also trigger a persistent slab.
Snowpack Summary
Warm temperatures and sunshine are expected to weaken and moisten surface snow layers. Strong to extreme SW winds on Saturday created wind slabs and cornices in many areas. In sheltered areas, 15-40 cm recent storm snow is settling, and in some places may still be reactive as a soft slab. A rain crust sits below this in parts of the Monashees. In the far south, a layer of surface hoar is buried about 50-80 cm down. Professionals are still monitoring the early January persistent weak layer, down 80-120 cm. The persistent slab above this has become an infrequent performer. However, in specific locations, it still produces hard, sudden results in snowpack tests, and forecast warming could wake it up again.
Problems
Loose Wet
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 9th, 2016 2:00PM