Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 19th, 2019–Jan 20th, 2019

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Coast Inland.

The recent snow has been redistributed with strong winds and may be touchy to human traffic. Travel conservatively, particularly if you notice slab properties or see signs of snow instability.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy, light to moderate west winds, freezing level 600 m.SUNDAY: A mix of sun and clouds, light northeast winds, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 900 m.MONDAY: A mix of sun and clouds, light northwest winds, alpine temperature -8 C, freezing level 600 m.TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, light to moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 700 m.

Avalanche Summary

Small to large (size 1 to 2) wind slabs were easily triggered by skiers near ridges on Saturday. The snow was failing within the recent storm snow, 20 to 30 cm deep.

Snowpack Summary

Around 15 to 20 cm of recent snow fell, with associated strong southwest winds that switched to northeast winds near Coquihalla. All this snow is falling onto a sun crust on southerly aspects, a temperature crust below around 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in areas sheltered by the wind at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these layers.Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled. In sections of the region, for example in Manning Park, you may still find a weak layer of surface hoar buried about 60 to 100 cm in sheltered areas around treeline. This layer has not produced any recent avalanches but snowpack tests suggest that it still could (see here).

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

The recent storm snow may not bond well to underlying layers. Treating this snow with caution is advised. The touchiest snow may be in lee and cross-loaded terrain features, as the snow fell with strong winds.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking, or recent avalanches.Observe for the bond of the new snow to underlying surfaces.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2