Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 12th, 2014 8:24AM

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.

esharp, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Freezing levels are uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A ridge of high pressure will build to the south deflecting a series of storms at the North Coast. A moist, sub-tropical moisture stream looks to feed these systems with moisture spilling over the coast ranges into the inland regions. Tonight and Monday: Flurries overnight continuing through Monday / Moderate to strong west winds / Freezing level 600m..Tuesday: Heavy snow becoming rain/ Strong to extreme southwest winds / Freezing levels 2500m in the Bulkley, 1500m north of the Skenna Wednesday: Cloudy / Light northwest winds / Freezing level 800m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observe

Snowpack Summary

A recent profile from 1400m elevation on a Northwest aspect in the Hankin area shows the height of snow to be about 155 cm.Up to 50 to 65cm cm of low density snow now overlies heavily wind-affected surfaces at upper elevations and well developed surface hoar or crust at mid-treeline and below. These layers will be something to watch as the overlying snow settles into a more cohesive slab.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

Watch for increased reactivity in wind-exposed terrain especially at and bellow treeline where the storm snow is sitting on a widespread layer of surface hoar

Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Weak layers still exist in places near the bottom of the snow pack. 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 13th, 2014 2:00PM