Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 31st, 2014 8:07AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Saturday: Cold and clear overnight with moderate Westerly winds and alpine temperatures dropping down to about -18 C. Mix of sun and cloud during the day with a chance of very light precipitation. Freezing levels down to valley bottoms and alpine high temperatures about -8 C.Sunday: Mostly sunny with moderate Northeast winds and alpine temperatures about -15 C. Freezing levels at valley bottoms.Monday: Clear with strong Northeast winds and alpine temperatures around -20 C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of dry light new snow now covers the solid melt-freeze crust that developed last week. The new snow has been stripped by recent strong Northerly winds and transported into pockets of wind slab at higher elevations. Surface hoar was found in may areas before the new snow arrived, and cold temperatures are expected to preserve the surface hoar where it is buried below the thin layer of new snow. A well settled mid and lower snowpack may rest on basal facets, especially in thin snowpack areas at higher elevations.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Changing winds may have developed pockets of wind slab on several aspects. Watch for reverse loading due to the shifting winds.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deeply buried weak facetted crystals continue to be a concern on slopes with a shallow snowpack.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin, rocky or variable snowpack.>Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

4 - 7

Valid until: Feb 1st, 2014 2:00PM