Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 14th, 2019 3:54PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

jfloyer, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Recent storm and wind slabs will remain triggerable in steep terrain, particularly in wind affected areas.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Dry with some clear spells.TUESDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud. A thin above freezing level around 2000m may give some warmer alpine temperatures. Light southeasterly winds.WEDNESDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud. Cooling, with alpine temperatures around -7C. Calm winds. THURSDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures around -12C. Light southeasterly winds.

Avalanche Summary

The weekend's avalanche activity from the Microwave area near Smithers is documented well in these two MIN posts here and here. Storm slab avalanches up to size 2 were observed on north aspect slopes. Thanks a tonne to the riders who submitted these observations.

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm that ended late on Saturday produced 25 to 50 cm of new snow at higher elevations with rain falling up to 1500 m. Strong winds have likely redistributed the storm snow at and above treeline. The snow at lower elevations is now most likely crusty.A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 35-60 cm deep. The next layer is likely 65-90 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 100-150 cm deep. The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering. We have very few observations from the alpine, but it's suspected that storm slabs are capable of producing large avalanches at upper elevations.

If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 15th, 2019 2:00PM