Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 7th, 2019 4:23PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.

Avalanche Canada pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

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Recent winds have left behind wind slabs and built cornices. Keep track of where you are in the terrain to avoid these areas.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Around 5-10 cm snow beginning around midday. Freezing level near valley bottom. Moderate southerly winds. Alpine high -5. Expect a further 5-10 cm snow overnight.WEDNESDAY: 5-10 cm snow. Freezing level near 800 m. Moderate southerly winds. Alpine high near -3. Expect a further 5-10 cm snow overnight. THURSDAY: 5 cm snow. Freezing level rising to near 1500 m. Moderate southerly winds. Alpine high near -1. More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

After an active avalanche cycle last week, activity dwindled by Sunday. Some whumpfing was reported in the north of the region on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

50-100 cm of storm snow has accumulated throughout the region since January 1. Strong to extreme winds have promoted slab formation and cornice growth. The recent storm snow sits on two weak layers that formed in mid and late December. These layers consists of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or a sun crust on steep south facing slopes. The surface hoar is reported to be most prominent in the southern part of the region in areas like the Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park, on north and east aspects at treeline.In the northern portion of the region, a deeper weak layer composed of facets (sugary snow) and/or surface hoar is buried 100 to 150 cm. There have been no reports of avalanche activity on this layer for the past week, but field observations suggest that avalanches may still be possible on this layer with a heavy load such as a cornice fall.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent strong and variable winds have created wind slabs at alpine, treeline and below treeline elevations.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.Use ridges or ribs to avoid wind loaded slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Cornices can fail naturally or with the weight of a person. They make good triggers for avalanches on slopes below.
Be aware of the potential for cornices failures to trigger slab avalanches.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 8th, 2019 2:00PM

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