Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2018 4:55PM

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

mgrist, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Warm temperatures and rain will make for heavy riding conditions. Manage your terrain use carefully and avoid terrain traps.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

Sunday: 15-25mm of rain Saturday night to Sunday afternoon / Moderate to strong southwest winds / Ridge top temperatures near +5 / Freezing level 2000m rising to 2500m Monday: Mainly cloudy / Light westerly winds / Freezing level at 1100mTuesday: Flurries (5-10 cm of snow) / Light north west winds / Freezing level 900mNote: Confidence is low for forecast wind values and precipitation amounts on Sunday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Rain and warm temperatures on Friday into Saturday have soaked the 7-13 cm of snow which fell late Thursday. Isolated wind slabs may remain at the highest elevations where winds were strong on Wednesday and Thursday. At treeline and below, the new (saturated) snow overlies either a crust or moist snow from Monday's rain event. In high alpine areas like Sky Pilot and the Chehalis Range the new snow overlies thick storm slabs which developed during the stormy weather at the end of January.The mid and lower snowpack are well consolidated with no significant layers of concern.

Problems

Loose Wet

Rain and rising freezing levels will result in heavy / slushy surface snow layers that could produce small avalanches in steep terrain.

Use caution above cliffs and also gullies where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Wet loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Recent heavy snowfall and high winds have created fragile new cornice growth. These monsters may surprise with nasty consequences. Use extra caution around ridge crests.

Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.Falling cornices may trigger avalanches on slopes below.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 4th, 2018 2:00PM