Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 18th, 2015 8:00AM

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

ali haeri, Parks Canada

Glacier.

New surface hoar layer buried with widespread distribution will keep us all on our toes. Conservative terrain choices will be necessary as snow continues to build on this layer.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Low off the coast of Alaska has brought in a Pacific front. Precipitation is expected to continue into this evening and ending tonight. Associated moderate to strong west winds with a rise in temperatures today. Light snow and unsettled skies as temperatures cool for Monday and Tuesday as a ridge of high pressure builds over the south of BC.

Snowpack Summary

10-15cm of new snow overnight. The widespread Jan 15 surface hoar layer is down 20-30cm, and it sits on a crust on solar aspects. The Dec 17 surface hoar layer is down 70-120cm. This layer is overtop a crust below 2100m. The Nov 9 crust is a basal layer at the bottom of the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed yesterday.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

There's 20-30cm of new snow overtop our latest surface hoar layer. This layer was observed to be widespread. As winds pick up and and the temperatures rise expect soft slabs to form and to be reactive to rider triggering.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The December 17th surface hoar layer is still a factor to consider in our snowpack. This layer is widespread at treeline, more spotty at alpine elevations and sits on a thick crust complex which provides a firm failure plane for avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 19th, 2015 8:00AM