Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 9th, 2019 4:27PM

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

dsaly, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Snow, wind, and rising freezing levels are creating storm slabs in higher elevations areas where dry snow has fallen.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Rain, 10-30 mm. Strong south-southwest wind. Freezing level 1500 m.THURSDAY: Showers and slush, 5-20 mm rain with 10 cm snow falling above 1700 m. Moderate south-southwest wind. Freezing level 1700 m.FRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods. Light to moderate southeast wind. Freezing level above 2000 m.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, chance of showers. Moderate variable wind. Freezing above 2000 m.More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.

Snowpack Summary

Above 1700 m, up to 30 cm recent snow is being redistributed by wind and forming cornices. Another 10 cm may accumulate by Thursday morning in alpine terrain in the north of the region. Below 1500 m, rain has saturated the snowpack.New snow is expected to create storm slabs in the alpine. At lower elevations, warming temperatures and rain on snow can rapidly lead to loose wet avalanches. At alpine and treeline elevations in the north of the region, 70-100 cm recent storm snow is slowly settling. Recent snowpack tests around treeline indicated some storm snow instabilities. Below the recent storm snow, a melt freeze crust exists, with associated facets (sugar snow) in some areas. Further south on the North Shore mountains, around 10 cm snow overlies a crust.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Forecast snow, warming and winds make a good recipe for storm slabs.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have big consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Be cautious as freezing levels rise to alpine elevations where dry snow is rapidly warming.

Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. Watch for terrain traps where small amounts of snow will acumulate into deep deposits.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 10th, 2019 2:00PM