Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 7th, 2018–Jan 8th, 2018

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Northwest Coastal.

Snow, wind and warming are creating a good recipe for avalanches in the south-west of the region. Expect better conditions further north and east.

Confidence

Moderate - Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

MONDAY: Strong south-west winds. 10-20 cm snow (locally more in the south-west). Alpine temperature near -1.TUESDAY: Light winds. 5 cm snow. Alpine temperature near -2.WEDNESDAY: Light winds. 5-10 cm snow. Alpine temperature near -7.

Avalanche Summary

Few avalanches have been reported over the past few days, but avalanche activity is expected to increase as storm snow comes in with warming and strong winds.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is variable across the region. Wind slabs can be found on a variety of slopes. New snow is expected to create touchy storm slabs in the south and west, but amounts should peter out as you travel north and east.A surface hoar/facet interface that was buried on New Years Eve is down about 30-40 cm. Incoming storm snow might bring the load above this layer to its tipping point. A hard crust from mid-December sits deeper in the snowpack. Beneath the mid-December crust the snowpack is reported to be generally strong with the possible exception of areas around Stewart and northern parts of the region where the late-October crust can be found near the base of the snowpack. Weak sugary faceted snow may exist around this deeply buried crust and could be triggered from shallow snowpack areas.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Snow, wind and warming are creating a good recipe for touchy storm slabs. Snow amounts are expected to vary widely. Storm slabs could fail on persistent weak layers in some locations, creating a surprisingly large avalanche.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.The more snow, wind or warming, the more cautiously to tread.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3