Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 9th, 2013–Jan 10th, 2013

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Sunny skies and fresh snow will be very tempting; however, give the new snow at least a couple days to settle and strengthen before pushing out into steeper, challenging terrain.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A ridge of high pressure and northwesterly flow should result in drier and cooler weather for the next couple days. A weak system could affect the South Coast on Saturday bringing light snow. Thursday: Clearing throughout the day. Light northerly winds. Treeline temperatures are around -6.Friday: Mostly sunny. Light northerly winds. Treeline temperatures around -7.Saturday: A chance of flurries or snow. The freezing level remains at valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose snow and slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported throughout the region on Tuesday. Most observed slabs were 15-20 cm deep, but were probably significantly deeper by Wednesday morning. Slabs will likely remain susceptible to human triggering over the next couple days.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 60 cm of snow has fallen in the past 2 days. This new snow was initially bonding very poorly to the previous snow surface, which includes large surface hoar, facets, old hard wind slabs, or a sun crust. It is likely that a slab has formed as temperatures rose on Tuesday night and winds increased. No significant weaknesses have been reported recently below this in the mid snowpack layers. Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer exists, which is now unlikely to be triggered, except perhaps by heavy triggers in steep, shallow, rocky terrain where more facetting has taken place.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

The new snow has set up touchy slab conditions in many areas, especially where strong southerly winds have created thicker and denser deposits.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.>Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 5