Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 2nd, 2013 9:36AM

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

jfloyer, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Dry until late afternoon. Sunshine in the morning, clouding over in the afternoon. Winds moderate from the south. Freezing level falling rapidly during the day from around 2000 m in the morning to around 700 m in the afternoon. Friday: Light snowfall, 2-5 cm expected. Freezing level will be around 1000 m. Winds diminishing to light westerly. Saturday: 5-10 cm new snow. Freezing levels around 1000 m. Winds gusting to 60 km/h from the SW.

Avalanche Summary

A cornice fall released a size 2 slab avalanche on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

The steep South facing aspects are getting moist with warm temperatures and sun effect weakening the surface layer during the afternoons. As an overview, the snowpack is generally well-settled.? Near the base of the snowpack, the crust/facet layer appears to be inactive but still produces the sudden planar and collapse shears in isolated areas, especially in the Northern part of the region. Although unlikely, triggering an avalanche on a basal may be possible from thin snowpack areas or with a very heavy trigger.

Problems

Wind Slabs

A shift in wind direction to the SW has set up new wind slabs on northerly and easterly aspects. With warm daytime temperatures, cornices may also be fragile.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2013 2:00PM