Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 6th, 2012 9:13AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Good - -1

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Mainly sunny with no precipitation. Light winds. Freezing level around 700m during the day and valley floor at night. Wednesday: Some scattered flurries are possible as a weak system approaches the coast. Light southerly winds. Freezing level rising to around 1000m. Thursday: Light precipitation associated with a frontal band. 5-10mm through the day. Light to moderate south-west winds. Freezing level rising to around 1500m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Temperatures have been unseasonably warm, leading to moist surface snow on sunny aspects which can become unstable during the heat of the day. Where a re-freeze has occurred, a crust now exists. Recent storm snow appears to bonding well. A facet layer which formed in mid-January has gained strength. It showed hard, resistant planar results in a compression test at treeline in the Hankin area on Sunday.

Problems

Cornices

Cornice fall could trigger an avalanche on the slope below. Isolated wind slabs also exist.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Loose Wet

Warmth and sunshine can trigger loose wet avalanches, particularly in steep, south-facing terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Feb 7th, 2012 3:00AM