Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 22nd, 2017–Jan 23rd, 2017

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

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: South Coast Inland.

Don't let the lure of deep powder in the alpine zone draw you into terrain that's inappropriate for the conditions.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

We're looking at seasonal temperatures, light winds, a mix of sun and cloud with occasional isolated flurries for most of the week. MONDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks. Freezing levels around 1100m with light northerly winds. TUESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Freezing levels around 500m with light northerly winds. WEDNESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Freezing levels around 500m with light westerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new reported.

Snowpack Summary

SOUTHERN AREAS (e.g. Coquihalla): 10-20cm of snow from last week appears to be bonding well to the previous rain-soaked snow surface up to treeline elevations. At alpine elevations, up to 40cm of storm snow fell with some wind slabs forming on northerly aspects.NORTHERN AREAS (e.g. Duffey Lake): Up to 45 cm of fresh snow by Friday morning brought the storm snow totals to over a metre, which was all redistributed by moderate to strong southerly winds. This resulted in touchy storm and wind slabs bonding poorly to the previous snow surface that includes facets and large surface hoar on sheltered slopes and/or a sun crust on steep sun-exposed aspects, as well as wind-affected surfaces (e.g. hard wind slab, sastrugi, scoured crust, etc.) in exposed areas. Weaknesses within the recent storm snow have been settling - I'd remain suspicious of the bond of the storm snow in the alpine to the previous cold snow surface from over a week ago.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Weaknesses exist within and under the new snow. Slabs will be particulary deep and touchy on wind-loaded northerly aspects near ridge crests. Small avalanches may "step down", resulting in large destructive avalanches.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3