Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 28th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ldreier,
Avalanche Canada
The storm approaching the coast south of the forecast region brings 5 cm new snow with a strong southwest wind which will form fresh wind slabs in lee terrain features.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY NIGHT: Clear with clouds increasing in the morning, moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature -20 C.
FRIDAY: Cloudy, 5 cm new snow and 10 cm in southwest of region, strong southwest wind, treeline temperature -10 C.
SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy, 5 cm new snow and 10 cm in the very south of the region, moderate southerly wind, treeline temperature -12 C.
SUNDAY: Mainly cloudy, up to 3 cm new snow, treeline temperature -12 C.
Avalanche Summary
Recent glide snow avalanche activity was reported on Wednesday. On Tuesday, explosive control in the north produced a few small avalanches in recent snow. Isolated small and large slab avalanches have been reported to have failed on recently buried surface hoar or crust in recent days.
In the northern regions (e.g. Stewart or Ningunsaw), large explosives were able to trigger a couple of very large avalanches on deep persistent layers near the ground last week. Debris are still evident from the widespread avalanche cycle over a week ago with size 1-3 storm slabs (in the south of the region) and size 3-4 deep persistent slabs (in the north of the region).
Snowpack Summary
The 10-20 cm of new snow which fell over the weekend was transported with reverse eastern wind on Wednesday and formed soft slabs and wind slabs. This snow sits on a crust below 1000 m and surface hoar in sheltered locations at and below treeline.
A total of 100-150 cm of settled snow has fallen in January, which has helped strengthen early season weak layers. Deeper layers appear to have gone inactive in the southern part of the region. However, in the northern part of the region (e.g. Bear Pass, Ningunsaw) there has still been regular avalanche activity on weak snow at the bottom of the snowpack with large loads such as explosives or cornice collapses.
Terrain and Travel
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
- Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate wind overnight and strong southwest wind throughout the day on Friday will redistribute loose snow and form touchy fresh wind slabs in lee terrain features on northerly and easterly aspects. Older wind slabs were formed on westerly aspects on Wednesday and may still be reactive.
Wind slabs will be particularly reactive anywhere snow overlies buried surface hoar or crust.
In steep and wind-protected areas loose snow avalanches (sluffs) can be expected.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 29th, 2021 4:00PM
