Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 2nd, 2014 8:34AM

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.

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

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.

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

Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2014 2:00PM