Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 27th, 2014 8:07AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

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 break down overnight, resulting in freezing levels dropping down to about 1500 metres by morning. Light precipitation is expected to start as freezing levels lower, expect 5-7 cm by morning with light to moderate Southwest winds. Expect another 3-5 cm during the day.Wednesday: Continued light precipitation and freezing levels dropping down to valley bottoms as winds shift to Northwest and build to moderate values.Thursday: Chance of a few more cm of snow before the winds shift to the Northeast and become strong as colder air moves into the region.

Avalanche Summary

Some natural ice falls entrained some snow up to size 2.0 in the Bear Pass. Glide slab releases up to size 2.5 were observed in the highway corridor.

Snowpack Summary

Forecast cooler temperatures, cloud, and dropping freezing levels should allow for the surface to re-freeze overnight. New surface hoar has been reported on slopes that are sheltered from the sun at and below treeline. Some very sheltered alpine north aspects are facetting near the surface. A well settled mid and lower snowpack may rest on basal facets, especially in thin snowpack areas at higher elevations.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deeply buried weak facetted crystals continue to be a concern in shallow snowpack areas.

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 - Possible

Expected Size

4 - 7

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