Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 14th, 2015 8:20AM

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

bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

There are still weak layers in the snowpack to be reckoned with. Carefully assess terrain during this new snow cycle.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

A fast moving cold front will arrive on the coast on Thursday afternoon bringing strong southwest winds and precipitation to the Inland region for Thursday evening and early Friday.Â The region may see 10 to 20cm of snow at upper elevations. Saturday there will be a small break in the weather with another 10 to 20cm on Sunday.Â Freezing levels will fluctuate between 800 to 1500 metres as the storm moves through.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

A thick crust is the most dominant feature in the snowpack above 1500 metres with breakable crust below that. There are a variety of layers previously mentioned in snowpack discussions, but unless there is an extreme weather event, they are likely to remain out of the picture . Some areas have reported 5cm of soft snow in sheltered areas above 1800metres, and one reporting party has observed 8mm surface hoar development on North aspects up to ridge tops. One operator reported that the Jan. 4th surface hoar that may now be buried by as much as 20 to 40 cm.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The incoming storm snow will be falling on a variety of old snow surfaces including temperature crusts, windblown snow and surface hoar. Conditions will be tricky until the new snow settles and stabilizes. A small slide might wake up a weak layer.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be aware of thin areas where human-triggering may be possible and may propagate to deeper instabilities.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Jan 15th, 2015 2:00PM