Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 23rd, 2019 4:39PM

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

kdevine, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

As the storm eases off, the snowpack is beginning to gain some strength. However, storm slabs are still likely to be encountered at upper elevations and could be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy / northwest winds,10-20 km/h / alpine low temperature near -1THURSDAY - Mainly cloudy / northwest winds, 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 800 m / alpine temperature inversionFRIDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / northwest winds, 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 800 m / alpine temperature inversionSATURDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / northwest winds, 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near +5 / freezing level 3100 m

Avalanche Summary

A few size 1 explosives triggered avalanches were reported in the region on Wednesday.Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.

Snowpack Summary

30-50 cm of new snow mixed with rain has fallen over the South Coast region recently. This new snow likely sits on a melt-freeze crust at treeline and below. Expect to find a breakable melt-freeze crust on the surface below approximately 1300 m. At upper elevations, where the recent precipitation fell as snow, over 130 cm has accumulated since the stormy weather began last week. At upper elevations in the north of the region near Squamish, there may be a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) buried approximately 80-100 cm. Information on the strength and distribution of this layer is very limited.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs exist at upper elevations where the snow surface stayed dry in the recent storm. They may be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 24th, 2019 2:00PM