Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 10th, 2018 3:00PM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Potential for a cold, windy day. Watch for building wind slabs, even at low elevation.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Cloudy with strong outflow winds. Flurries possible. Alpine temperature near -20.FRIDAY: Clear with light winds. Flurries possible. Alpine temperature near -20.SATURDAY: Cloudy with light winds. Flurries possible. Alpine temperature near -5, but cold in the valleys.

Avalanche Summary

A few size 1- 1.5 storm slabs and loose dry avalanches were reported on Monday between 1250 and 1600 m. Skiers were able to trigger pockets of wind slab on north-to north-west facing slopes on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Variable winds are likely to build slabs on many different slopes. Recent snow (around 20-30 cm) overlies various surfaces including a freezing rain crust (which was reported as being hard in the alpine and breakable below treeline), old sun crusts and wind slabs. A variable weak layer that formed in mid-December can be found in the upper snowpack. This mid-December layer is comprised of crusts on solar aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered locations.The lower snowpack is generally well settled with two prominent crusts. The late-November crust can be found 30-50 cm below the surface and the October crust is near the base of the snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Changing winds may build wind slabs on a variety of slopes, even at low elevations.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 11th, 2018 2:00PM