Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 30th, 2014–Jan 31st, 2014

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Columbia.

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.

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.