Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 11th, 2016 8:53AM

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

Avalanche Canada esharp, Avalanche Canada

Watch for fresh wind slabs forming at upper elevations through the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

A storm is forecast to hit the north coast Monday night although not much precipitation will spill over into inland regions.  Light precipitation is expected through continue Tuesday with total accumulations of up 6cm by Wednesday morning.  Thursday is forecast to be mainly dry.  Freezing levels should remain at, or close to valley bottom through the forecast period.  Strong southwesterly winds are forecast for Tuesday, becoming light westerlies on Wednesday and variable on Thursday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported for several days; however, observations are very limited.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 5cm new snow now covers a fairly widespread surface hoar layer. Below this 5-15 cm of dry faceted snow sits on a variety of old surfaces including a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects in the alpine, and surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and lower elevations. Overall, the snowpack is still quite shallow and weak throughout the region.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Fresh wind slabs may be sensitive to rider triggering in steep and unsupported lee and cross-loaded terrain.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 12th, 2016 2:00PM