Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 9th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ldreier,
Avalanche Canada
Shifting wind during the recent storm formed wind slabs on all aspects at treeline and in the alpine. Wind slabs might still be sensitive to human triggers.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, light to moderate north wind, alpine high -8 C, freezing level 1200 m.
Monday: Mix of sun and cloud, light northwest wind, alpine high -5 C, freezing level 1500 m.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, light to moderate westerly wind, alpine high -5 C, freezing level 1200 m.
Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud, light westerly wind, alpine high -6 C, freezing level 1100 m.
Avalanche Summary
A few skier and naturally triggered avalanches of size 1 and size 2 were reported on Saturday. Some of these avalanches released on the crust underneath the recent storm snow (see this MIN report).
No new avalanches were reported on Thursday and Friday.
The deep persistent slab avalanche activity observed in the beginning of February in the northern portion of the region seems to have tapered off. Although the likelihood of triggering has reduced there is still concern for deep releases in that part of the region.
Snowpack Summary
Friday's storm delivered 20-30 cm in the south of the region and 10-15 cm in the north. Strong southerly wind during the storm shifted to northerly wind and created wind slabs on all aspects. The snow surface is wind affected at treeline and in the alpine. The recent storm snow sits on a rain crust below 1900 m.
In the north part of the region (ie. Goldbridge/Duffey/Hurley), a few deep instabilities exist in the snowpack, including a weak basal facet crust complex. There has not been recent avalanche activity on these layers but they remain a concern and are on our radar.
The south of the region, including the Coquihalla and Manning areas, currently have no concerns about deeply buried weak layers.
Terrain and Travel
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Friday's storm delivered 20-30 cm in the south of the region and 10-15 cm in the north. The wind changed direction during the storm from southwest to northerly and created wind slabs on all aspects at treeline and in the alpine. These wind slabs might still be sensitive to human triggers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 10th, 2020 5:00PM
