Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 18th, 2014 9:38AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
bcorrigan,
Avalanche Canada
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
Tuesday evening: A Pacific frontal system tracking mostly across the South Coast will affect southern portions of the NW regions. Generally unsettled conditions are expected for Wednesday before another weak system impacts the central coast on Wednesday night or Thursday morning. Possibility of 10 to 209 cm in the Mtns. just east of the coast.Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, light locally moderate snowfall, some parts of the forecast area may receive 10-15cm of snow, freezing levels around 400m, ridge top winds 20-30km/h SW-WThursday: Freezing level at or near valley bottom. Snowfall amounts, 5-10cm, ridge top winds from the W-NW 30-50km/h Friday: Freezing level around 100m. Light to locally moderate precipitation, some parts of the area may receive 10 to 15cm of snow, ridge top winds light to moderate from the south.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous reports of size 1.5 to 2.5 natural avalanches, as well as skier remote avalanches up to size 2
Snowpack Summary
Parts of the forecast region have received over 1.5m of cumulative storm snow which has now settled into a slab with a typical thickness of 60-90cm. This storm slab overlies a variety of facets, surface hoar, crusts, hard wind press, or any combination of these. Widespread whumpfing, cracking, natural avalanche activity and remote triggering at all elevations are a strong indication of poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Snowpack tests show easy, sudden planar results with good propagation propensity.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Close to a metre of highly reactive storm slab is now sitting on a variety of weak layers, facets, surface hoar and decomposed wind slab. Significant potential for remotely triggering an avalanche below or adjacent to start zones exists.
Stick to simple terrain and be aware of what is above you at all times.>Avoid wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.>Use conservative route selection, stick to moderate angled terrain with low consequences even if skiing in the trees>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 19th, 2014 2:00PM
