Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 7th, 2019 4:36PM

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

Avalanche Canada mbender, Avalanche Canada

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Caution as you transition into wind exposed terrain, new snow combined with southwest winds have promoted wind slab development at upper elevations

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Hungry Hill. 11 in 24 hrs. 1 through the day today, -4.5 and L Etelkwas -10 at 1600m, mainly L W and 5 new in past 24 hrsHudson Bay Mtn: l-m NW wind, temp -12 and 8 cm overnight 9 in 24 hrs

Avalanche Summary

There have not been any recent reports of avalanche activity in the region.

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of new snow sits above previous wind-scoured surfaces as well as wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below treeline, expect to find a melt-freeze crust near the snow surface.Beneath you may find a few weak layers in sheltered areas comprising of feathery surface hoar crystals and/or sugary faceted snow. The upper layer was buried around December 31 and is about 20-30 cm deep. The next layer may have been buried around December 22 and is likely 40-60 cm deep. The lower one was buried in early-December and is now approximately 80-120 cm deep. The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of weak and sugary faceted grains and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It is possible that shallower avalanches could scrub down to ground in these thin snowpack areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent new snow combined with southerly winds have promoted wind slab development These may now be obscuring some lingering older wind slabs.
Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.If triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 8th, 2019 2:00PM