Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 14th, 2014 9:44AM

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

slemieux, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Tonight and Wednesday: The cold front move SE of the region tonight. Precipitation will ease, extreme winds should remain strong from the NW, freezing levels lower to around 600 m by tomorrow morning. Thursday: A ridge of high pressure is well in place. Continuing rising freezing levels climbing to 1700 m on Friday. Strong SW winds are forecasted. Friday overlook: Ridge is still dominating the pattern with clear skies and warm temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday, there was reports of natural storm snow avalanches releasing in wind loaded features from the west of the region.

Snowpack Summary

The recent wind event and forecasted strong winds from the NW will continue developping windslabs in the alpine and at treeline. Lee alpine slopes and open treeline areas will remain touchy tomorrow. Solar radiation on steep S facing slopes could also weaken the snowpack and cornices which could trigger fresh slabs.Up to 60 to 75cm cm of low density snow now overlies heavily wind-affected surfaces and well developed surface hoar or crust in sheltered areas mid-treeline and below. The mid and lower snowpack are found to be generally gaining strength with depth until the bottom 20-40cm where weak faceted crystals exist down to the ground. The fluctuating freezing levels created a crust at lower elevations.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Watch for increased reactivity in wind-exposed terrain especially if sun comes out and hits steep windloaded features.

Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

Avoid thin spots, cross-loaded slopes or unsupported terrain.

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 - 5

Valid until: Jan 15th, 2014 2:00PM