Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2015 8:27AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Continued stormy conditions will create changing avalanche problems. Keep your wits about you and be prepared to adjust your plans as you travel.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Expect 5-15 cm snow on Sunday with moderate to strong SW winds and the freezing level near 900 m. Light to moderate snow continues on Monday, with strong SW winds. A second organised system is forecast to affect the area on Tuesday, bringing heavy snow, strong SW winds and rising temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

Explosives triggered numerous size 1-2 slabs yesterday in the north of the region. Most of these were on wind-loaded N-NE aspects around 1400-1500 m. At low elevations, natural loose wet avalanches were observed in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds have redistributed recent storm snow into wind slabs, and rain has saturated the surface of the snowpack to at least treeline elevations. As temperatures cool, the below treeline snowpack may gain some strength. Above treeline, a buried rain crust and/or surface hoar layer is down about 30-50 cm. A deeper crust/facet layer (buried mid-December) seems to have dropped off most operators' radar for the time being. The November crust near the bottom of the snowpack is generally well bonded, but may still be reactive in areas with a shallow snowpack, or with a very heavy load.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Continuing snow and strong winds will build deep wind slabs. These are generally found lee to the SW, but keep an eye for local wind effects that may have left wind slabs on other aspects.

Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Storm Slabs

Watch for storm slabs as snow continues to build up. Low elevation areas have been previously rain-soaked and loose wet avalanches remain possible in steep terrain.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2015 2:00PM