Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 4th, 2014–Jan 5th, 2014

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

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

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

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

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

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: Northwest Inland.

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Partly cloudy with sunny breaks. Warm air in the alpine, above freezing to about 2000 metres. Strong Southwest winds.Monday: Strong Southwest winds becoming moderate Westerly. Warm air is expected to remain in the alpine with freezing levels around 1700 metres.Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with light Southwest winds and seasonal alpine temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

Weaknesses within and under the recent storm snow will likely take several days to settle and strengthen after the storm passes. A number of rain crusts may exist in the upper and mid snowpack, primarily below 1500 m. Deeper in the snowpack a layer of facets/surface hoar formed in early December may be found in the top 100cm. The mid and lower snowpack is still structurally weak and faceted with depth hoar and an early season crust near the ground.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong winds have scoured some areas and developed hard wind slabs in the alpine. Watch for reverse loading from changing wind directions.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

Persistent weak layers of buried crusts and facets may be triggered by human activity or by smaller avalanches in motion. Watch for loose avalanches on steep solar aspects stepping down into shallow weak snowpacks.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4