Avalanche forecast

South Columbia

Jan 1 – 2, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Temperatures are expected to remain below zero in the Alpine (around -3.0), but may get a bit warmer when combined with solar warming. If the sun is out and it feels warm, watch for loose moist snow falling out of cliffs and steep terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Forecast warm alpine temperatures should help to bond the recent wind slabs to the old surface.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Cornices may fall off naturally during periods of warm air at higher elevations combined with solar warming.

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Wednesday: An upper ridge of High pressure continues to dominate the interior regions. Large valleys should expect cloud with mostly clear skies above. Alpine temperatures are forecast to be warmer than the valleys, but should still be about -3.0. Light winds and no precipitation for the forecast period.Thursday: The temperature inversion is forecast to persist on Thursday causing warmer temperatures in the alpine than at valley bottoms. Friday: Becoming cloudy during the day with moderate westerly winds as a weak upper disturbance slides into the region.

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche activity in the region has been limited to loose snow avalanches running in steep terrain and isolated slab releases to size 2 from steep rocky terrain in the alpine. Glide cracks continue to open.

Snowpack Summary

New surface hoar continues to grow in areas that are sheltered from the wind. Recent surface hoar is buried beneath a thin layer of cold dry snow. Thin wind slabs continue to develop due to the availability of loose snow for transport. Continued winds are expected to stiffen these soft wind slabs. Deeper weak layers have not been reactive.

Regions covered