Avalanche Forecast
Jan 16th, 2019–Jan 18th, 2019
Alpine
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1:
Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1:
Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1:
Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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
Regions: Vancouver Island.
Travel & Terrain Advice
Minimize travel above and below cornices. A solid melt freeze crust on all aspects and elevations could be a slipping and sliding hazard. Avoid large wind loaded features in the alpine during the incoming precipitation.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches observed or reported over the previous forecast period.
Snowpack Summary
Skyrocketing temperatures and clear skies during the recent inversion period caused all surfaces to become moist and then subsequently re-freeze. This has created a solid, supportive crust on all aspects and elevations. Layers below this dominant crust are being bridged and would require a very large trigger to affect.
Snowpack Details
Surface: Strong supportive melt freeze crust. Upper: well settled. Mid: well settled. Lower: well settled.
Past Weather
Strong inversion recently with high temperatures in the alpine and treeline. Light winds and no precipitation.
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY: No precipitation and freezing levels around 1100 m. Winds moderate gusting to extreme from the east. THURSDAY: 10 - 30 cm accumulation, higher totals in the southern parts of the region. Freezing levels around 900 m. Winds strong from the east. FRIDAY: 35 - 60 cm accumulation above 1000 m. Higher totals in the south. Freezing levels around 1300 m. Winds strong and variable, predominantly SE.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Expect reactive wind loaded pockets in the alpine and treeline on NW through NE aspects with incoming snow Thursday and Friday. These avalanches have the potential to be large in size (size1-2).
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2