Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 27th, 2014–Jan 28th, 2014

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Northwest Inland.

Freezing levels are dropping and some new snow is on the way. Deep persistent slab problems may still exist in isolated areas. Please see blog post for more information.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Tuesday: The inversion is forecast to break down overnight, resulting in freezing levels dropping down to about 1500 metres by morning. Light precipitation is expected to start as freezing levels lower, expect 5-7 cm by morning with light to moderate Southwest winds. Expect another 3-5 cm during the day.Wednesday: Continued light precipitation and freezing levels dropping down to valley bottoms as winds shift to Northwest and build to moderate values.Thursday: Chance of a few more cm of snow before the winds shift to the Northeast and become strong as colder air moves into the region.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Forecast cooling temperatures should put an end to loose wet avalanche problems.

Snowpack Summary

A report from the Bulkley Valley shows widespread surface hoar development over the past few clear days and nights. I suspect that the solar radiation at upper elevations destroyed some of those well formed crystals. Dropping freezing levels as the temperature inversion breaks down should create a solid re-frozen surface crust. Forecast new snow may not bond well to the crust or the new surface hoar.

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deeply buried weak facetted crystals continue to be a concern in shallow snowpack areas.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin, rocky or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 3 - 6