Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 21st, 2013 8:16AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Moderate to strong SW wind.Â Alpine temperature near -2. Light snow, starting late in the day.Wednesday: Light to moderate S wind.Â Alpine temperature near -5. Moderate snow.Thursday: Increasing S winds. Alpine temperature near -5. Moderate snow.

Avalanche Summary

A snowcat triggered a size 2 slab on a cross loaded north aspect at 1400 m on Sunday. A recent natural size 1.5 avalanche was also observed on a steep SW aspect near Terrace.

Snowpack Summary

The current medley of snow surfaces includes hard and soft wind slabs, scoured slopes, blue ice and thin melt-freeze crusts. A persistent weakness of surface hoar buried at the end of December sits about 50-70cm below the surface. Recent snowpack tests gave moderate to hard, sudden results on this layer. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong, although basal facets remain a concern in the north of the region.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Hard and soft wind slabs may be found on many slopes, even below treeline. It may be possible to trigger a wind slab with the weight of a person or snowmobile.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>Avoid steep slopes below cornices.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2013 2:00PM