Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 28th, 2012 9:00AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

This forecast is based on very limited observations from the field. You can help! Tell us what you are seeing: forecaster@avalanche.ca

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: 10-15cm further snow, with the freezing level near 1000m. Strong winds. Sunday: Flurries or light snow. Strong winds easing. Freezing level gradually lowering.Monday: A moist north-west flow may bring a few flurries, with sunny breaks. Gusty westerly winds. Tuesday: Flurries, turning to light snow by afternoon as the next system pushes onshore.

Avalanche Summary

We've had no new reports from the region. Please send us your observations: forecaster@avalanche.ca

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs and storm slabs continue to build above a weak facet layer which formed during the brutal cold of mid-January and was buried around January 20th. Rising temperatures and snowfall during the weekend will increase the likelihood of storm slab and wind slab avalanches, which could be very large. In shallow snowpack areas, a weak, "rotten" snowpack has been observed.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are likely behind ridges and terrain breaks.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 7

Storm Slabs

A weak layer in the snowpack is getting progressively more deeply buried with storm snow. Rising temperatures during the weekend will increase the likelihood of storm slab avalanches, which could be large.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Jan 29th, 2012 8:00AM