Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 27th, 2014 8:04AM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

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.

Summary

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.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing 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

Valid until: Jan 28th, 2014 2:00PM