Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 30th, 2014 8:24AM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low.

rbuhler, Avalanche Canada

Loose sluffing of new snow is expected in steep terrain. Use increased caution around terrain traps where consequences of a small sluff could be serious.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure once again dominates conditions in the interior during the forecast period. Friday: A mix of sun and cloud, dry conditions, treeline temperatures around -8, mountain-top winds up to 25 km/h NWSaturday/Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, dry conditions, treeline temperatures around -10, light NW mountain-top winds

Avalanche Summary

Reports of small natural and human-triggered loose sluffing from steep terrain features.

Snowpack Summary

The upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated and layers are well bonded. However, in thinner snowpack areas a facet/crust weakness may exist near the bottom of the snowpack and this remains a concern. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be large, destructive avalanches. This is referred to as a 'low probability, high consequence' event. We are recommending avoiding thin or rocky areas on steep, convex, unsupported slopes. In most areas, a widespread weak layer is now buried by around 10cm of new snow. This weak layer consists of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on open south facing slopes, facet grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of any of the above. This layer may become a problem in the future when we finally get more snowfall.

Valid until: Jan 31st, 2014 2:00PM