Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 23rd, 2013 9:07AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, 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

Thursday: Strong S to SW winds. Alpine temperature near -8. 10-15 cm snow, mostly arriving late in the day.Friday: Strong SW winds. Alpine temperature near -5. 5-15 cm snow.Saturday: Light SW winds. Alpine temperature near -6. Very light snow.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

New snow is landing on a medley of surfaces including hard wind slabs, thin and thick crusts and large surface hoar crystals which can be found in sheltered terrain below treeline.A surface hoar layer buried down 40-80 cm seems to be gaining strength, but still exhibits moderate, sudden results in isolated snowpack tests. 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.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Jan 24th, 2013 2:00PM