Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 2nd, 2018–Jan 3rd, 2018

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Northwest Coastal.

Pockets of reactive wind slab remain a concern for wind-exposed alpine and tree line areas.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

Isolated flurries for one more day before snow arrives on Thursday and Friday.WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Ridge wind moderate from the south. Temperature -1. Freezing level 500m.THURSDAY: Snow. Accumulation 10-15 cm. Ridge wind moderate from the south. Temperature -2. Freezing level 600 m. FRIDAY: Snow. Accumulation 10-15 cm. Ridge wind moderate to strong south west. Temperature -1. Freezing level 500m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed.

Snowpack Summary

Only about 10cm of new snow has fallen in the new year. Cold temperatures and strong winds (from a wide range of directions) have affected the surface snow over the past week, scouring some slopes down to an old crust and forming hard deposits in many other areas. There are some lingering wind slabs, found on a variety of old surfaces including a thick melt-freeze crust that formed in mid-December. Cornices have also been noted at ridge tops, lee (downwind) to strong north east winds last week. In non-wind affected terrain, 20-40 cm of unconsolidated (aka faceted or 'sugary') snow overlies the mid-December crust layer. This snow has been sluffing in steep terrain.Beneath the mid-December crust the snowpack is reported to be generally strong with the possible exception of areas around Stewart and northern parts of the region where the late-October, basal crust can be found near the base of the snowpack. Weak sugary snow may exist around this basal crust and could be triggered from shallow snowpack areas.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be lingering around ridge crests, exposed gullies and cross-loaded slopes. These wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the buried mid-December crust layer and reactive to human triggers such as a skier or rider.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Watch for whumpfing, stiff or hollow sounding snow, and shooting cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2