Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 13th, 2016 7:46AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.

Avalanche Canada pmarshall, Avalanche Canada

A mild spring-like pattern continues. Avalanche danger will vary depending on aspect, elevation, and time of day. Stay tuned-in to signs of instability.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

A series of moist and mild weather systems are tracking onto the BC Coast under a southwesterly flow. Sadly only light precipitation is expected to make it to the Southeast corner with each pulse. Generally, we should expect a couple mm’s each day with the daytime freezing level hovering around 1800-2000 m. Ridge winds should be moderate or strong from the W-SW. Currently it looks like a good chance of some sunshine on Monday afternoon.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Friday. Loose wet activity was reported throughout the week as a result of warm temperatures and sunshine.

Snowpack Summary

5 cm of moist new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects and lower elevation terrain, surface hoar on sheltered slopes, and wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Soft new wind slabs might be hiding older, harder wind slabs on exposed north aspects in the alpine. Cornices have grown significantly recently. In some areas you may find a supportive crust down 30cm that extends up to around 1900m. A layer of buried surface hoar can be found between 40 and 60cm down and remains a concern, primarily west of the Continental Divide. The snowpack rests on a weak crust/facet layer from early December.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Expect dense or hard wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. Loose wet sluffs are also possible in steep terrain below treeline, or on south aspects if it's sunny. 
Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets on steep slopes below ridge crests.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Cornices should continue to grow with mild temperatures, steady ridge winds, and light snowfalls. They could fail naturally or under light loads. 
Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Feb 14th, 2016 2:00PM