Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 13th, 2015 8:08AM

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

bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

The December week layer may still be reactive to moderate loads. Continue to make conservative choices as the new snow and wind comes into the region.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

A Pacific frontal system is moving through the forecast area bringing snow to higher elevations and snow flurries mixed with freezing rain to lower elevations. the North coast may see up to 25 cm of snow at higher elevation and rain up to 1500m. Winds are forecast to be light to moderate from the south throughout the forecast period. Wednesday will see a bit of clearing before the next pulse of moisture arrives later in the day. Freezing levels may spike close to 2000m as the system moves through.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches reported yesterday, but field reports indicate the instability still exists.Â Shooting cracks and large settlements reported below 700 metres from a field trip yesterday.

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds have redistributed the recent storm snow, and rain in some areas has produced a surface crust layer that will be of concern with future snow loading. A buried surface hoar layer in the mid-snowpack is still on the radar in some northern sectionsÂ and the mid December crust can still be found in the middle of the snowpack. This layer has been reported to be sandwiched between facets and surface hoar in some places. The November crust near the bottom of the snowpack is generally well bonded but may still be reactive in areas with shallow snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow with south winds will produce windslabs in the alpine and at tree line on lee features. A small avalanche might trigger deeply buried weak layers.

Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

We haven't seen any activity on this layer for a while, but it's still lurking down there waiting for trigger.

Use caution around convexities, ridge crests, rock outcroppings and anywhere else with a thin or variable snowpack.>Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Jan 14th, 2015 2:00PM