Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 16th, 2017 4:06PM

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

Avalanche Canada cgarritty, Avalanche Canada

The recent storm delivered a substantial storm slab problem to the alpine while soaking lower elevation terrain. Be aware of increasing hazard as you transition to higher elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Friday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Winds light from the southeast. Freezing level to 1200 metres with alpine temperatures of -5.Saturday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Winds light from the southeast. Freezing level to 1000 metres with alpine temperatures around -6.Sunday: Cloudy with scattered flurries and a trace of new snow. Winds light to moderate from the southeast. Freezing level to 1000 metres with alpine temperatures around -6.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Wednesday include numerous storm slabs releasing naturally as well as with explosives and ski cutting to Size 2 in the Whistler area. Ski cut Size 1 slabs were noted running slowly over long distances. Thursday's reports included evidence of a natural Loose Wet avalanche cycle to Size 1.5 below 1900 metres in the Whistler area.

Snowpack Summary

A trace of new snow dusted the surface at treeline elevations over the day on Thursday, with wet flurries and rain continuing at lower elevations. This change follows rain which fell to 2000 m during the day on Wednesday. The mix of rain and new snow has landed on either wind slabs in the alpine or temperature crusts at treeline and below, especially on east and south aspects. Both of these surfaces will be good sliding layers for incoming snowfall.The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong. However, there remain a number of facet and crust layers (down 60-80cm in shallower areas) that are currently dormant but will require monitoring with additional loading (and warming this week), especially in the shallow, rocky areas.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Fresh storm slabs exist mainly at alpine elevations, becoming thinner where precipitation fell as rain. Maintain awareness of new snow depth as you gain elevation and expect the potential for human triggering the full depth of new snow.
Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed touchy slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 17th, 2017 2:00PM