Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 17th, 2013 9:22AM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Monday: Freezing Level: 700m, Wind: Lht. S, No significant precip.Tuesday: Freezing Level: 500m in the morning increasing to near 1000m in the afternoon. Wind: Light N/NW, No significant precip.Wednesday: Freezing Level: 250m increasing to 750 in the afternoon. Wind: Light SW. No significant precip.

Avalanche Summary

Pockets of small soft slabs near ridge crest were the theme Saturday. There were also some reports of fast sluffing in the Duffy, but these sluffs didn't entrain much snow.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snowfall in the Duffey Lakes area and up on the Coquihala has been redistributed into wind slabs at higher elevations. On shaded slopes the recent snow may overlie surface hoar which was buried on February 12th. On solar aspects and at lower elevations a melt freeze crust is likely to exist.Below this there are a few buried interfaces which include crusts, facets and surface hoar. These interfaces are gaining strength but it's worth digging down and testing these layers before committing to a steep line.The mid and lower snowpack pack layers are generally well settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for small windslabs 10 - 20 cm in depth in wind exposed treeline and alpine features.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 18th, 2013 2:00PM