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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 7th, 2019–Jan 8th, 2019

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Recent winds have left behind wind slabs and built cornices. Keep track of where you are in the terrain to avoid these areas.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Around 5-10 cm snow beginning around midday. Freezing level near valley bottom. Moderate southerly winds. Alpine high -5. Expect a further 5-10 cm snow overnight.WEDNESDAY: 5-10 cm snow. Freezing level near 800 m. Moderate southerly winds. Alpine high near -3. Expect a further 5-10 cm snow overnight. THURSDAY: 5 cm snow. Freezing level rising to near 1500 m. Moderate southerly winds. Alpine high near -1. More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

After an active avalanche cycle last week, activity dwindled by Sunday. Some whumpfing was reported in the north of the region on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

50-100 cm of storm snow has accumulated throughout the region since January 1. Strong to extreme winds have promoted slab formation and cornice growth. The recent storm snow sits on two weak layers that formed in mid and late December. These layers consists of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or a sun crust on steep south facing slopes. The surface hoar is reported to be most prominent in the southern part of the region in areas like the Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park, on north and east aspects at treeline.In the northern portion of the region, a deeper weak layer composed of facets (sugary snow) and/or surface hoar is buried 100 to 150 cm. There have been no reports of avalanche activity on this layer for the past week, but field observations suggest that avalanches may still be possible on this layer with a heavy load such as a cornice fall.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.