Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 15th, 2019 4:41PM

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

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Wind-affected snow is found almost everywhere in the region.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, isolated flurries possible.SATURDAY: Mostly clear skies, light to moderate northeast wind, alpine temperature -15 C.SUNDAY: Clear skies, light to moderate northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, moderate northwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

Avalanche Summary

A few wind slab avalanches were observed around Bear Pass on Thursday, caused by strong southeasterly wind. Otherwise, no recent avalanches have been observed in the region.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface has been heavily wind affected. You will likely find a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, and melt-freeze crust where the wind has scoured down to it. In sheltered areas below treeline, you may find pockets of soft snow that overlies a thick melt-freeze crust. In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two or three weak layers of feathery surface hoar crystals buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent strong winds may have created isolated small slabs in steep terrain features, if any snow was still available for transport.

Be careful around wind loaded pockets near ridge crests and roll-overs.Look for patterns of wind loading as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 16th, 2019 2:00PM