Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 7th, 2015 9:08AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Storm slabs have been triggered with light loads in the alpine recently. With a situation as dynamic as this it's best to stick to simple terrain as the snowpack adjusts.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

The freezing level is expected to remain between 1600 & 1900m for the period. (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday) Looks like 15 -30mm of precipitation Saturday night before a drying trend begins Sunday. Winds should continue to be Strong SW at upper elevations through Sunday afternoon with speeds dropping to light below treeline. Monday looks warm and dry with very little wind, Tuesday appears to be more of the same.

Avalanche Summary

Explosive control work Saturday produced storm slab avalanches to size 3 running 50 to 80cm in depth on the early February crust. Natural loose wet avalanches were reported to have run in the last 48 hours to size 2 as high as 2150m.

Snowpack Summary

The wet warm storm has produced 30 to as much as 100cm of snow above 2200m. The snow is wet below 2000m and saturated below treeline. Moderate to strong winds out of the SW through SE have likely formed deep slabs at upper elevations. All the new snow rests on the early February rain crust, and most of the avalanche activity has been on said crust. I have not heard of anything running below the crust at this point.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs are likely trending towards wet slabs, or at least moist slabs at all elevations. New snow Saturday night should keep them touchy. Recent activity has had good propagation and I don't expect that to change Sunday.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, avalanches running on the thick crust may run further than you think.>The new snow will require a bit of time to settle and stabilize.>Slopes receiving direct sun for the first time since the storm could produce natural avalanches.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 6

Loose Wet

As the warm wet storm continues to saturate the snowpack loose wet avalanches remain likely. While slow moving, these things pack a punch, especially in confined features like gulleys.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Be very cautious with gully features.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 8th, 2015 2:00PM