Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 9th, 2014 9:04AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Friday: Light to moderate snowfall / Moderate to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 600mSaturday: Flurries intensifying to heavy snowfall overnight / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 600mSunday: Moderate to locally heavy snowfall / Moderate to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 1100m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

A recent profile from 1400 metres elevation on a Northwest aspect in the Hankin area shows the height of snow to be about 155 cm.Light to locally moderate amounts of new snow overlie heavily wind-affected surfaces at upper elevations and well developed surface hoar at mid-treeline and below. In some areas, the new snow has likely been shifted into pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain. The mid and lower snowpack are found to be generally gaining strength with depth until the bottom 20-40cm where weak faceted crystals may exist down to the ground.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Forecast accumulations will add to a developing storm slab. Watch for increased reactivity in wind-affected terrain or in areas where buried surface hoar exists.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Triggering a persistent weakness could have nasty consequences. Avoid thin spots, cross-loaded slopes or unsupported terrain.

Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.>Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Jan 10th, 2014 2:00PM