Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 9th, 2016 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Dry.
Tim Haggarty,
Avalanche Canada
Dry conditions continue to erode the strength of surface layers. Climbers and skiers in steep or confined terrain should keep an eye out for sluffs that require only a very small trigger but can pack quite a punch.
Summary
Weather Forecast
The region will remain under the influence of a ridge for the period. Winds will be light and temperatures will be cold with potential for inversions. No snow is expected.
Check our weather stations for current conditions.
Snowpack Summary
About one meter at treeline. A few cm of low density snow sits over the Jan 6 interface of surface hoar, facets and sun crust (buried on steep S aspects). Below 2000m the Dec 3 layer of surface hoar and facets remains visible down 50- 70 cm but is currently dormant. Thin areas are faceting out and weakening.
Avalanche Summary
The storm Thursday generated a few natural wind triggered sluffs mainly in extreme terrain. Travellers in steep terrain have been triggering sluffs in the faceted surface snow as these layers continue to weaken with the dry conditions.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Dry
Sluffs can be triggered in steep terrain by very light loads. Take care in cliffy or lee terrain where mushrooms, tree bombs, or wind can move snow. The sluffs are running far and can easily gain enough mass to affect a climber, skier or boarder.
- Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.
- On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 10th, 2016 4:00PM
