Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2015 8:03AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Enough snow and wind could tip the avalanches danger to HIGH at alpine elevations on Sunday. Back off if you encounter any clues like recent avalanches, whumpfing or shooting cracks.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

Overnight Saturday, 10-25 cm snow is expected, with the freezing level rising to around 1600 m towards the end of the precipitation. Expect strong to gale SW winds. By late Monday, precipitation and wind are expected to ease. Light snow is possible on Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow is likely to be shifted by strong winds into slabs overlying a hard crust or surface hoar. These may be easy to trigger with the weight of a person or snowmobile. Deeper snowpack weaknesses are still on our radar, but seem to be dormant for the time being.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong winds are likely to shift new snow into deep wind slabs on lee slopes. These may bond poorly to a crust/surface hoar layer below.

Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Storm Slabs

Warming temperatures may help create storm slabs. The weight of a person or snowmobile could be enough to trigger one.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2015 2:00PM