Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 8th, 2016–Jan 9th, 2016

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Northwest Coastal.

Outflow winds have created highly variable snow conditions in the region. Search for sheltered slopes for the best snow and to avoid wind slab concerns.

Confidence

Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Cloudy with sunny breaks and a chance of flurries. Treeline temperatures should reach -1 C during the day. Winds will be variable with some areas experiencing strong outflow (E-NE) winds. Sunday: Mainly cloudy. Treeline temperatures could pop a little above freezing during the day. Ridge winds are moderate from the SW-SE. Monday: Cloudy with light to moderate snowfall. Treeline temperatures are near 0 C again. Winds are moderate to strong from the SW.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been reported.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface is highly variable. 25-40 cm of dry faceted snow can be found on most sheltered slopes, with a layer of new surface hoar above on slopes not affected by wind and sun. A melt-freeze crust can be found at or near the surface on steep, solar aspects in the alpine. Expect a variety of wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Wind slabs may be reactive to the weight of a rider, especially in areas where a slab overlies surface hoar buried by the Boxing Day storm. Professionals in the region are still tracking a few other surface hoar layers that developed throughout December which are now buried in the top 100cm. These layers have likely gained significant strength, and represent a low probability / higher consequence scenario at treeline and below treeline elevations. In colder and shallower snowpack areas watch for weak basal facets.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

It may be possible to trigger stiff or hard wind slabs in exposed wind affected terrain. Stay tuned-in to signs of wind loading and loading patterns.

Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3