Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 4th, 2014 8:03AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

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.

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

Valid until: Jan 5th, 2014 2:00PM