Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2014 8:23AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Moderate snowfall overnight Wednesday should ease to light accumulations on Thursday / Strong Southwest winds / Freezing level at 600mFriday: Moderate to locally heavy snowfall starting Thursday night should continue through Friday / Strong to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 500mSaturday: Flurries / Moderate northwest winds / Freezing level at valley bottom

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

A recent profile from 1400 metres elevation on a Northwest aspect in the Hankin area shows the height of snow to be about 155 cm.Light amounts of new snow now overlie heavily wind-affected surfaces at upper elevations and well developed surface hoar at 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.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Forecast moderate accumulations will add to a developing storm slab. Watch for increased reactivity in wind-affected terrain or in areas where buried surface hoar exists.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Triggering a persistent weakness could have nasty consequences. Avoid thin spots, cross-loaded slopes or unsupported terrain.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2014 2:00PM