Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 25th, 2020 5:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada dsaly, Avalanche Canada

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Avalanche hazard will increase through the day where heavy snow accumulates.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to difficult to forecast freezing levels.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Wet flurries, 5-10 cm. Alpine low temperature +1 C. Southeast wind 20 gusting to 50 km/hr. Freezing level 1200 m.

SUNDAY: Snow and rain, 25-35 cm. Alpine high temperature +2 C. South wind 35-55 km/hr. Freezing level 1400 m.

MONDAY: Scattered flurries, 5 cm. Alpine high temperature +1 C. South wind 20 gusting to 45 km/hr. Freezing level 1200 m.

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine high temperature +1 C. South wind 15-25 km/hr. Freezing level 1300 m.

Avalanche Summary

A few small (size 1) wet-loose avalanches were observed on Thursday morning as the rain event began.

Snowpack Summary

Recent warm temperatures and rain saturated the snowpack to 1900 m. Where dry snow prevailed (at the highest elevations), winds have scoured and redistributed about 20 cm new snow developing slabs and building cornices. 

Rain earlier in the week created a strong and settled snowpack, which is now 250-300 cm deep around the peaks of the North Shore mountains.

Terrain and Travel

  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
  • Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Thick storm slabs will form as heavy snowfall accumulates.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Rain and warm temperatures will encourage wet-loose avalanches in steep terrain at lower elevations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 26th, 2020 5:00PM