Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2018 4:37PM

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

Avalanche Canada pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

The snowpack is variable across the region. Wind slabs and storm slabs may be found on some slopes in the alpine and at treeline.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Cloudy with light winds. Flurries. Alpine temperature near -5.WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with light winds. Flurries. Alpine temperature near -12.THURSDAY: Cloudy with light winds. Flurries. Alpine temperature near -15.

Avalanche Summary

A skier triggered a size 2 wind slab on Sunday on a NW aspect at about 1400 m near Terrace.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is variable across the region. Wind slabs and storm slabs may be found on some slopes in the alpine and at treeline. The upper snowpack consists of several layers of interest, including a breakable temperature /rain crust, surface hoar and facets. A hard crust from mid-December sits deeper in the snowpack, about 50 cm down.Beneath the mid-December crust the snowpack is reported to be generally strong with the possible exception of areas around Stewart and northern parts of the region where the late-October, basal crust can be found near the base of the snowpack. Weak sugary faceted snow may exist around this deeply buried crust and could be triggered from shallow snowpack areas.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Recent snow may be reactive to human triggers, especially where it has been shifted by the wind.
Choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

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