Avalog Join
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 4th, 2017–Feb 5th, 2017
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Touchy storm slabs reactive to human triggers. Conservative decision making will be CRITICAL to playing safe in the mountains this weekend.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: 15-20 cm new snow/ Strong, southwest winds/ Freezing level 250m.Sunday: 5-10 cm new snow/ Moderate, southwest winds/ Freezing level 250m.Monday: 0-5 cm new snow/ Light southwest winds/ Freezing level sea level.Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with flurries/ Light, southwest winds/ Freezing level sea level.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, numerous skier triggered avalanches up to size to 2 were reported near Whistler. Human triggered avalanches are expected to remain very likely throughout the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

30-40 cm of new snow has buried a wide variety of old snow surfaces including stiff wind slab or wind effected snow at upper elevations, sun crust on steep southerly slopes, surface hoar and surface facets in sheltered locations. An additional 15-20 cm is expected by Sunday morning, bringing storm totals to 40-60 cm. The mid-January interface (facets) is buried approximately 60-100 cm down and recent snowpack tests have shown hard, yet sudden planar results. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled (strong). However, there remain a number of facet and crust layers that are currently dormant but will require monitoring with additional loading.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Touchy storm slabs reactive to human triggers. Don't forget about what's above your head. Natural avalanches starting in the alpine may run long distances.
Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3