Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 2nd, 2014–Jan 3rd, 2014

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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.

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation expected. Moderate NW winds and freezing levels around 600m. Saturday: Mainly cloudy but dry with light NW alpine winds and freezing levels around 500m. Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud but dry with freezing levels dropping to valley bottoms.

Avalanche Summary

No recent natural avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

In general the snowpack seems shallower and more faceted in the northern part of the region, and deeper with more wind and storm slab problems in the south. A significant amount of recent storm snow is settling rapidly, but will likely remain unstable for at least a few days after the weather finally clears. However, persistent weaknesses including facets and surface hoar buried near the end of December, will likely remain primed for triggering. Basal facets remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas and an overlying snowpack structure favoring step-down fractures can contribute to the persistence of this deep slab problem.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Upside down storm slabs are particulary deep and weak on exposed north through southeast facing wind-loaded slopes and cross-loaded features in the alpine and treeline.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 5

Persistent Slabs

Primarily a concern in Northern sections. A buried surface hoar layer in the middle of the snowpack could be human-triggered. and a weak facet/crust combo lurks near the ground.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried weak layers.>Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.>Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 5