Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 8th, 2018 9:00AM

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

VIAC Jesse Percival, VIAC

Summary

Travel & Terrain Advice

Numerous moats and trenches have opened up in steep terrain around the base of steep rock features. Take precaution to identify these hazards prior to committing to your objective. Expect surface conditions to become a very hard slippery surface crust especially near the end of this forecast period. All mountain travellers should consider the option to travel on slopes that minimize exposure to slips and falls.

Snowpack Summary

Upper snow pack is unconsolidated, wet to moist. The entire alpine snow pack has settled rapidly and the mid and lower snow pack are becoming dense and very well settled

Snowpack Details

Surface: wet to moist down 30 to 40 cm. Upper: unconsolidated. Mid: well settled. Lower: well settled.

Past Weather

Precipitation in the form of rain combined with warm temperatures and high freezing levels persisted over the last 48 hours. Winds where predominately south west and moderate to strong . Overnight temperatures remained high preventing most snow surfaces from developing a crust and recovering. Theses factors promoted the upper snow pack to become unconsolidated and warm.

Weather Forecast

A strengthening high pressure to the south west of the region will bring clearing sky, cooling temperatures and freezing level to seas level during the overnight period.Thursday: 5 mm of precipitation, temps 3 to 0 , winds light to moderate Sw becoming Light Nw late in the afternoon, freezing level to 1500-500 m.Friday: Clear, temps -3 to -6, winds light Nw, freezing level 900 m dropping to sea level overnight.Saturday: Clear, temps -5 rising to +2, winds light Ne, freezing level 300 m rising to 900 m mid day.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
At both tree line and the alpine, expect south aspect (solar) slopes to become moist in the afternoon and in the right terrain feature its unlikely but may possible to trigger an avalanche big enough to bury injure or kill a human

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Cornice formation has been specific to predominantly north aspect slopes and can be found at both the treeline and the alpine. Cornices are will continue to strengthen but if triggered will produce an avalanche big enough to bury injure or kill a traveler. Take the time to identify these features and ensure appropriate travel techniques when either above or below these features.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 10th, 2018 9:00AM