Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 5th, 2014–Jan 6th, 2014

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Northwest Inland.

Confidence

Fair - Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Monday: Very Strong Westerly winds overnight becoming strong Southwest during the day. Cloudy with very light precipitation. Above freezing layer from 1500 metres to 2000 metres during the day.Tuesday: Moderate to strong Southwest winds with light precipitation and freezing levels lowering to about 500 metres.Wednesday: A trough is expected to move onto the coast on Wednesday, models disagree on timing of this next storm.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

A recent profile from 1400 metres elevation on a Northwest aspect in the Hankin area shows the height of snow to be 155 cm. A new layer of surface hoar has been reported to be about 3-5 mm tall and developing during the recent clear weather. There are a couple of resistant planar shears in the top 25 cm that may be sliding on buried facet layers. The snowpack was found to be generally gaining strength with depth until the bottom 40 cm that were weak facetted crystals down to the ground. Other reports from Hankin confirm surface hoar development and moderate resistant planar shears in the top 20-40 cm. but found basal weak layer to be closer to 15-20 cm above the ground. Reports from the Southwest of the region describe more recent storm snow and more wind effect, with sastrugi in open areas and scouring on ridge tops.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may exist in the alpine and at treeline where recent storm snow was transported during the storm or where it was re-distributed by changing winds after the storm.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of facetted snow near the ground continues to be a concern in shallow snowpack areas.

Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.>Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4