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