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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 1st, 2020–Feb 2nd, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast.

Storm slabs may remain reactive to human triggering where snow accumulated in the high alpine. Are you venturing above the trees this weekend? Be this first to submit a conditions report on the Mountain Information Network!

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Cloudy periods with isolated flurries bringing a trace of new snow. Light northwest wind. Freezing level 500 m.

Sunday: Broken cloud with isolated flurries bringing up to 5-10 cm new snow. Light to moderate southwest wind. Freezing level 400 m.

Monday: Mix of sun and cloud. Light northwest wind. Freezing level 300 m.

Tuesday: Flurries bringing 5-10 cm new snow. Moderate west wind. Freezing level 300 m.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread loose wet avalanche cycle is expected to have run during the storm Friday but we have received no reports.

Snowpack Summary

Storm slabs may exist in the high alpine and where snow accumulated toward the tail end of the storm. They will likely be well settled, wind pressed and well adhered to old surfaces. 

At lower elevations, the snowpack is refreezing in the cool temperatures. A dusting of new snow may sit on top of the crust. Snowpack depths range from almost nothing below 1000 m to 150-250 cm deep around the peaks of the north shore mountains (1400 m).

Terrain and Travel

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.