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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 8th, 2014–Jan 9th, 2014

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Moderate snowfall overnight Wednesday should ease to light accumulations on Thursday / Strong Southwest winds / Freezing level at 600mFriday: Heavy snowfall starting Thursday night should continue through Friday / Strong to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 500mSaturday: Flurries / Moderate northwest winds / Freezing level at valley bottom

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches to report.

Snowpack Summary

In general the snowpack seems shallower and more faceted in the northern part of the region, and deeper with more wind slab problems in the south. At 1300m on an east aspect in the Shames area the height of snow is about 190cm. Light amounts of new snow now overlie a variety of old surfaces which include surface hoar in sheltered locations, and wind-affected snow at upper elevations. Depending on your location, you may find a facet/crust combo or surface hoar about 50cm below the surface. Reports suggest these layers are gaining strength; however, they may be worth keeping an eye on with forecast storm loading over the next few days. Deeper early December facetted crystals were also found to be rounding and gaining strength in this area.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.