Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 29th, 2014 8:23AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Thursday: A few cm are expected overnight, ending by early morning. Expect 3-5 cm near the coast and 1-3 cm inland. Moderate Northerly winds are forecast with strong Northeast outflow winds developing during the day. Freezing levels should drop down to valley bottoms.Friday: Mostly sunny with light Northwest winds and strong Northeast outflow winds in the major valleys. Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud with alpine temperatures dropping to about -15 C. Continued outflow winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

Below freezing temperatures have developed a solid melt-freeze crust at all elevations and on most aspects. A couple of cm of new snow is now on top of the crust and/or facets and surface hoar that developed during the recent clear weather. A well settled mid and lower snowpack may rest on basal facets, especially in thin snowpack areas at higher elevations.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deeply buried weak facetted crystals continue to be a concern on slopes with a shallow snowpack.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin, rocky or variable snowpack.>Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

4 - 7

Valid until: Jan 30th, 2014 2:00PM