Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 27th, 2015–Jan 28th, 2015

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Observations from the high alpine (above 2300m) have been very limited. Dig down and test for weak layers before committing to steeper, exposed lines.

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Expect a mix of of sun and cloud for the forecast period. Winds are forecast to remain light to moderate from the northwest, switching to southwest on Thursday and Friday. Freezing levels should hover at 1200m on Wednesday, rise to 1800m on Thursday, and fall back to 1200m on Friday.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 50 cm of settled storm snow has been saturated by rain up to about 2100m. With the forecast cooling trend, most surfaces will likely be sporting a hard melt-freeze crust. At the highest elevations you might find dense, stubborn wind slabs in lee terrain. New cornice development has also been noted. The older storm snow overlies a hard crust and/or surface hoar layer which formed in early January. The bond at this interface will be largely elevation dependant as rain may have penetrated the snowpack enough to dissolve the crust in many areas. At higher elevations where snow has fallen, this interface may still be reactive although no recent avalanches have been reported at this interface.Deeper snowpack weaknesses seem to have become unreactive, and should become even less of a concern if the forecast cooling trend verifies.

Avalanche Problems

Cornices

With recent cooling, large and fragile cornices have likely gained strength. I'd still give them a wide berth, and use extra caution if the sun comes out.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3