Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 6th, 2014 8:47AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Light snowfall / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 1100mWednesday: Light to locally moderate snowfall / Moderate to strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 1100mThursday: Light snowfall / Moderate to strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 700m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

A recent profile from 1400 metres elevation on a Northwest aspect in the Hankin area shows the height of snow to be 155 cm. A new layer of surface hoar has been reported to be about 3-5 mm tall and developing during the recent clear weather. There are a couple of resistant planar shears in the top 25 cm that may be reactive on buried facet layers. The snowpack was found to be generally gaining strength with depth until the bottom 40 cm that were weak facetted crystals down to the ground. Other reports from Hankin confirm surface hoar development and moderate resistant planar shears in the top 20-40 cm. but found basal weak layer to be closer to 15-20 cm above the ground. Reports from the Southwest of the region describe more recent storm snow and more wind effect, with sastrugi in open areas and scouring on ridge tops.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may exist in the alpine and at treeline where recent storm snow was transported during the storm or where it was re-distributed by changing winds after the storm.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of facetted snow near the ground continues to be a concern in shallow snowpack areas.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Jan 7th, 2014 2:00PM