Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2013 9:01AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night/Wednesday: Strong SW wind. Alpine temperature near -9. 30-50 cm snow.Thursday: Light NW wind. Alpine temperature near -15. Light snow.Friday: Light NW wind. Alpine temperature near -16. No precipitation.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous size 1-2 storm snow avalanches were triggered naturally and by skiers on Monday. Explosives triggered storm snow avalanches to size 2.5. In some areas, activity was limited to loose dry sluffing or small very soft slabs. The size and likelihood of avalanches is expected to increase on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

New snow has been sluffing readily and developing into slabs, which have a weak bond to old snow surfaces including surface hoar, facets and a sun crust. By Wednesday morning, storm snow totals could be 1m or more in some areas, leading to the potential for deep and destructive storm snow avalanches. In wind-affected areas, wind slabs have formed behind terrain breaks such as ridges and ribs. A strong mid-pack overlies a weak facet/crust layer near the base of the snowpack.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Weaknesses within and below the storm snow are touchy. Winds are also creating deep wind slabs behind terrain breaks such as ridges and ribs. Avalanches could reach the valley floor.

Stick to simple terrain and be aware of what is above you at all times.>Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended without advanced training and extensive experience.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 6

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2013 2:00PM