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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 4th, 2016–Jan 5th, 2016

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

You don't have to be an avalanche expert to submit to the MIN. If you've been in the mountains, the backcountry community would love to know what you observed!

Confidence

Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

Expect a mix of sun and cloud for the forecast period with a chance of very light flurries on Wednesday and Thursday. Ridgetop winds are expected to be moderate to strong from the southeast on Tuesday and Wednesday, becoming light by Thursday. Freezing levels are expected to remain at valley bottom for the forecast period.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, a few avalanches were reported from the north of the region: A skier accidentally triggered a size 1.5 wind slab avalanche which failed on the December 26 surface hoar layer at about 1450m on an east aspect. A few other size 1.5 explosive-triggered wind slabs were also observed in north-facing alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Snowpack surfaces are highly variable. Temperature inversions and solar radiation have recently come into play and a melt-freeze crust can be found on steep, solar aspects in the alpine. On most other slopes, 25-40 cm of snow from the Boxing Day storm continues to settle and facet, and new surface hoar has been reported although its distribution is likely variable due to strong outflow winds. In areas where recent winds have been light, shaded slopes will likely provide settled powder. In areas where winds have been stronger, reactive wind slabs may exist, especially in areas where the the slab overlies surface hoar buried by the Boxing Day storm.Professionals in the region are still keeping an eye on a few other surface hoar layers that developed throughout December which are now buried in the top 100cm. Although these layers may be gaining strength, they are worth keeping an eye on, especially on steep unsupported slopes at treeline and below. In colder and shallower snowpack areas watch for weak basal facets.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.