Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 22nd, 2013 9:46AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Moderate S wind.Â Alpine temperature near -6. Moderate snow.Thursday: Moderate to strong SW wind. Alpine temperature near -6. Â Light snow, becoming moderate late in the day. Friday: Moderate to strong SW wind, easing in the afternoon. Alpine temperature near -6. Moderate snow.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Incoming snow will be landing on a medley of surfaces including hard wind slabs, thin and thick crusts and large surface hoar crystals which have been growing in some sheltered terrain below treeline.A surface hoar layer buried down 40-80 cm seems to be gaining strength. Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer exists, which is now unlikely to be triggered, except perhaps by heavy triggers in unsupported, shallow, rocky terrain where more faceting has taken place.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Incoming snow may bond poorly to old surfaces. New wind slabs are also likely to develop during the next few days.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>Be cautious on open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2013 2:00PM