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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 7th, 2016–Jan 8th, 2016

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Sea To Sky.

Low Danger doesn't mean No Danger. Make observations continually as you travel.

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

Expect a mix of sun and cloud for the forecast period. Ridgetop winds should remain mainly light while freezing levels will hover around 500m.

Avalanche Summary

Small soft wind slabs were reported on lee slopes at alpine elevations near Whistler on Tuesday and Wednesday. I expect warmer temperatures should help these slabs settle in place rather quickly.

Snowpack Summary

As much as 20 cm of snow from the last couple of days covers a medley of old surfaces including a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects in the alpine, smooth old snow on higher elevation lee slopes, and well-developed surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and lower elevations. Southerly or easterly winds have created soft wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain in alpine areas. The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.