Avalanche Forecast

South Coast

Date issued

Feb 8, 2018 - 4:03 PM

Valid until

Feb 9, 2018 - 2:00 PM

Prepared by

swerner

The first hit of sunshine could trigger storm slabs and loose snow avalanches from steeper, alpine features.

Regular season
Thursday - February 8, 2018
Alpine

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Friday - February 9, 2018
Alpine

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Saturday - February 10, 2018
Alpine

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

New storm slabs may have a poor bond to the underlying crust and be reactive at upper alpine elevations. Loose dry avalanches are possible from steep terrain features.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

Avalanche Problem 2: Cornices

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Large cornices have formed and they remain fragile. Cornices are unpredictable and demand respect. Give them a wide berth from above and below.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Falling cornices may trigger avalanches on slopes below.
  • Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche reports on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Rain over the past few days has saturated snow surfaces and only higher alpine elevations were lucky enough to get snow. With a forecast cooling trend, the upper snowpack will likely lock up as a firm crust. The average snowpack depth at treeline is 300 cm of well settled snow with no significant layers of concern.

Weather Forecast

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with treeline temperatures near -4 and freezing levels dropping to 400 m. Ridgetop winds light from the North.

Saturday: Sunny. Treeline temperatures near -3 and freezing levels valley bottom. Light winds from the North.

Sunday: Some cloud with light flurries. Treeline temperatures near -3 and freezing levels valley bottom.

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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