Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 5th, 2019 3:30PM

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

swerner, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Stiff wind slabs may be reactive to human triggers.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

The arctic ridge will continue to bring cold, outflow winds and dry weather to the coast tomorrow. Thursday will see a slight change when the low slides south bringing some precipitation. Wednesday: Sunny with some cloudy periods. Treeline temperatures near -7 with light ridgetop winds from the North.Thursday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Treeline temperatures near -5 with light ridgetop winds from the North and freezing levels 200 m.Friday: Cloudy with some snow. Treeline temperatures near -5 with light ridgetop winds from the northeast. Freezing levels rising to 300 m.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported in the region.

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine, 40-60 cm of storm snow fell last weekend and sits above a crust or heavily wind affected old snow surfaces. Strong outflow winds have redistributed and formed isolated wind slabs at most elevations. At the treeline elevation and below 5-10 cm of snow from last weekend now sits on a supportive crust. The mid-pack is well-settled and strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind shifting from South to North has created wind slabs on a variety of aspects at all elevations.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Stay alert to changing conditions with elevation.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 6th, 2019 2:00PM