Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2018 4:44PM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Get out the warm socks. There's a deep freeze coming.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Cloudy with light winds. 5-10 cm snow. Alpine temperature near -10.WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with light winds. Flurries. Alpine temperature near -20.THURSDAY: Cloudy with light winds. Flurries. Alpine temperature near -brrr.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported in the last few days.

Snowpack Summary

Accumulating snow overlies various surfaces, including a hard freezing rain crust (which was reported into the alpine and may be widespread), old sun crusts and wind slabs. A variable weak layer that formed in mid-December can be found roughly 20 cm below the surface. This mid-December layer is comprised of crusts on solar aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered locations.The lower snowpack is generally well settled with two prominent crusts. The late-November crust can be found 30-50 cm below the surface and the October crust is near the base of the snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be lurking in the lee of ridge crests.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2018 2:00PM