Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2021 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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South Coast.

As you gain elevation, carefully monitor how new snow is bonding to the crust. Storm slabs may become increasingly reactive with rising temperatures and sunshine. The underlying crust offers a slick bed surface for snow (and people) to slide far and fast.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack. Uncertainty is due to rapidly fluctuating freezing levels.

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: Clearing, light to moderate northerly ridgetop wind, freezing level 800 m.

Monday: Sunny, light northerly ridgetop wind, freezing level 1600 m.

Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud with evening flurries developing, westerly ridgetop wind building to strong, freezing level 2300 m dropping to 700 m.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, light variable ridgetop wind, freezing level 600 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Glide cracks were observed to be opening up during the wet storm earlier in the week.

Snowpack Summary

Above 1200 m, around 10 cm of new snow sits on a thick block of icy rain crust which may be bridging a weaker layer of dry, sugary faceted snow. Affecting this weak snow through the thick crust would be difficult and avalanches on it are unlikely but not impossible in unsupported terrain. Below, the snowpack is a multi tiered sandwich of crusts and moist snow and is well consolidated.

Watch North Shore Rescue's weekly snowpack conditions update from Friday here.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Recent snow at upper elevations is not expected to adhere well to the crust and may become increasingly reactive with rising temperatures and sunshine. Deeper pockets of wind deposited storm slab may exist in leeward terrain features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2021 4:00PM

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