Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 30th, 2019 4:50PM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

Hazard is expected to rise on Friday with the incoming storm. Uncertainty still exists regarding the reactivity of a buried weak layer that has been most prevalent on shady aspects, at treeline elevations.

Summary

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy / Moderate, northwesterly winds / Low 0 C / Freezing level 800 m.THURSDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm. / Strong, southwesterly winds / High 0 C / Freezing level 900 m.FRIDAY: Snow, 5-15 cm. / Moderate to strong, southwesterly winds / High -3 C / Freezing level 700 m. SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy / Moderate, southwesterly winds / High -3 C / Freezing level 600 m.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported in the region on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

On the snow surface, you will likely find a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects to the top of the mountain and wind effected snow in the alpine. Around 30 to 50 cm down is a melt-freeze crust to mountain top on southerly aspects, a crust below around 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in areas sheltered by the wind at all elevation bands. The distribution of the surface hoar seems to be spotty but may be most pronounced on west, north, and east aspects between 1700 m and 2000 m. There have not been any recently reported avalanches on this layer.Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most locations.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Around 30 to 50 cm of snow sits above a weak layer of surface hoar. This layer is likely best preserved in shaded and sheltered areas between 1700 m and 2000 m. Use added caution in exposed terrain due to recent west winds.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices, which could easily trigger persistent slabs.Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking, or recent avalanches.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 31st, 2019 2:00PM