Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 31st, 2015 8:18AM

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

Avalanche Canada jlammers, Avalanche Canada

The Avalanche Danger will rise as new snow accumulates on Sunday. Watch for changing conditions throughout the day.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

A series of pacific frontal systems will bring snowfall to the region throughout the forecast period. There is some model disagreement with forecast snowfall amounts; however, some models are calling for up to 15cm on Sunday and 15cm on Monday. Very light accumulations are forecast for Tuesday. Winds should remain moderate from the southwest with freezing levels hovering around 1000m.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported. If snow accumulations are significant on Sunday, there may be a round of wind slab activity in high elevation terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Last week snow surfaces were heavily saturated by rain up to at least 2100m. Cooling has frozen the snow surface into a hard crust at most elevations. At the highest elevations you might find dense, stubborn wind slabs in lee terrain. New snow over the next few days is expected to form new wind slabs in lee, higher elevation terrain. These wind slabs may be especially reactive due to the underlying crust. Deeper snowpack weaknesses have become unreactive on account of the strong capping crust layer.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
New snow and moderate southwest winds are expected to form new wind slabs in lee terrain. Wind slabs may be especially reactive due to underlying crusts.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 1st, 2015 2:00PM

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