Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 1st, 2014 9:03AM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

slemieux, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Tonight and Sunday: A weak disturbance is forecasted to bring partly cloudy skies, a possibility of a trace of precipitation with light NE winds, surface freezing levels and alpine temperatures around -10 C.Monday: A ridge is keeping the region dry and cold. Expect moderate NE winds, partly cloudy skies and surface freezing levels. Tuesday: The ridge is gaining strength bringing even more dry and cold temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of recent snow has been stripped by recent strong and moderate Northerly winds and transported into pockets of wind slab at higher elevations. These relatively thin windslabs are sitting on weak surfaces like a crust or on the late January surface hoar layer. These weak layers are likely to persist with the cold temperatures that are forecasted. A well settled mid and lower snowpack is resting on basal facets, which is a concern especially in thin snowpack areas at higher elevations.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recently formed windslabs are expected to be prone to skier or sledder triggering since they are sitting on weak surfaces.

Use extra caution when travelling in areas that have been loaded by winds.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deeply buried weak facetted crystals continue to be a concern on slopes with a shallow snowpack.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin, rocky or variable snowpack.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of weak basal facets.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

4 - 7

Valid until: Feb 2nd, 2014 2:00PM