Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 7th, 2016 7:33AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Purcells.

If you are out in the mountains, please consider submitting your observations to our MIN (Mountain Information Network).

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure is building over most of the province. Colder modified arctic air is expected to descend from the north. Alpine lows should be around -15 and highs around -10 combined with light northerly winds. Expect broken skies with periods of light flurries on Friday. Very little precipitation should be left by Saturday and Sunday.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanches reported. Explosive cornice control did not release a slab on slopes below.

Snowpack Summary

Light new snow falls have buried large surface hoar on all aspects at and below treeline and on shaded aspects in the alpine. Easterly winds associated with the new snow may have disturbed surface hoar in the alpine. New snow on southerly aspects may be sitting on a sun crust and/or surface hoar, providing an easy sliding layer. The new snow should be mostly unconsolidated except where it has been re-distributed by the wind. Fresh wind slabs may be sitting on 10-20 cm of facetted snow on all but steep solar exposed aspects. In the southern Purcells, (west of Kimberley), a prominent layer of buried surface hoar has shown to be reactive to human triggers. In this part of the region, it's buried down 40 cm with a cohesive slab above it. Shallow snowpack areas and moraine features may have weak facetted snow near the ground that will require time and some warming to strengthen.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Thin wind slabs may be found in the immediate lee of alpine terrain features.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

No reports of slab avalanches releasing on buried weak layers. This problem is most likely at and below treeline in shallow snowpack areas.

Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved, especially in the south of the region.>Avoid exposed alpine faces, especially in the north of the region.>Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a big line. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Jan 8th, 2016 2:00PM