Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 27th, 2014 8:09AM

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

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

Freezing levels are dropping and some new snow is on the way. Deep persistent slab problems may still exist in isolated areas. Please see blog post for more information.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Tuesday: The inversion is forecast to slowly break down tonight allowing some Pacific moisture to move into the region starting at higher elevations and then filling in to lower elevations. Expect very light precipitation falling as snow in the alpine overnight. A mix of snow and rain during the day Tuesday as the cloud moves to the East and freezing levels drop down to about 1000 metres. Winds are expected to be moderate from the Southwest.Wednesday: Moderate precipitation 5-15 cm above about 800 metres elevation. Continued moderate Southwest winds.Thursday: Light precipitation 3-5 cm as the weak system exits the region. Light to moderate West-Northwest winds.

Avalanche Summary

Some loose wet avalanche activity continues due to warm alpine temperatures and solar radiation. Forecast cooler temperatures and cloud should end this problem.

Snowpack Summary

Forecast cloud and cooler temperatures should allow for good crust development at all elevations. New snow may not bond to the old surface where surface hoar has grown at and below treeline. In the alpine the new snow may not bond to the crust depending on the timing of the cooling. There continues to be a concern for deeply buried layers of weak facetted crystals, this is mostly a concern on slopes with a shallow and variable snowpack in the Duffey Lake and Chilcotin areas.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
Particularly a concern on shallow rocky southern aspects with heavy triggers. Moraine walls and other features with smooth rocky ground cover are suspect for this type of weak layer.
Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Jan 28th, 2014 2:00PM