Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 19th, 2019 3:53PM

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

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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South Coast.

Travel conservatively if you make it high enough to where the recent precipitation fell as snow. This new snow may not bond well to underlying layers.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, moderate southwest winds, treeline temperature -1 C, freezing level 900 m.SUNDAY: Clearing skies, light northwest winds, treeline temperature -1 C, freezing level 1000 m.MONDAY: Clear with afternoon clouds, light west winds, treeline temperature -3 C, freezing level 700 m.TUESDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, light to moderate southwest winds, treeline temperature -2 C, freezing level 800 m.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches were noted in the region. However, it is possible that a natural avalanche cycle occurred Thursday night during the height of the storm and potentially more activity during Friday night’s storm.

Snowpack Summary

Around 100 mm of water equivalent feel on Thursday and Friday nights, with the freezing level varying between 1200 and 1500 m. Therefore, expect around 100 cm of snow to have fallen in alpine terrain, a mix of dry snow and crusts at treeline, and a rain-soaked snowpack that will freeze into a thick crust below treeline.At high elevations, the snow may have fallen onto a sun crust on southerly aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas. The new snow may not bond well to these layers.Below this, the snowpack is well-settled.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Upwards of 100 cm of snow fell at alpine elevations recently, with it all being rain below treeline. You may find the snow to be wind-affected and touchy to human traffic.
Use caution in lee and cross-loaded areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Observe for bonding of the new snow before committing to avalanche terrain.Cornices may be large and weak. Stand well-back from them on ridges and avoid overhead exposure.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 20th, 2019 2:00PM

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