Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 7th, 2018 5:18PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

A steady stream of light precipitation should fall as snow at upper elevations and continue to accumulate in the coming days and gradually raise the avalanche danger.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

MONDAY: Flurries, accumulation 10-15cm / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -2TUESDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-15cm / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -3WEDNESDAY: Flurries, accumulations 5-10cm / Moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -5

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche activity in the north of the region has been reported as isolated loose wet avalanches to size 2 in steep alpine features prior to temperatures cooling off.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm of snow sits on a crust that formed after temperatures cooled moist surface snow on Saturday. Two successive storms at the end of December produced 50 to 80 cm of snow, which has long since to settled and bonded to the underlying surface. A widespread melt-freeze crust formed in mid-December may still be an issue in the northern portion of the region where it's down 50 to 100 cm below the surface, but is likely trending towards dormancy. Around the Coquihalla this interface is now thought to be part of a well bonded mid-pack. The lower snowpack is generally strong and well settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Light snowfall coupled with strong winds out of the southwest will likely form wind slabs in lee terrain. These slabs may be sitting on a thin crust which could increase their sensitivity to human triggering.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 8th, 2018 2:00PM