Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 25th, 2014 8:17AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Check out the latest blog post on deep persistent slab problems.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Sunday: Mixture of sun and cloud with a chance of light flurries. Light Southwest winds overnight becoming moderate Northeast or Easterly in the evening. Continued warm air in the alpine with freezing levels at about 3000 metres.Monday: Mostly cloudy with Southerly winds and a chance of very light precipitation. Warm air in the alpine is expected to continue, with the freezing level dropping to about 2000 metres.Tuesday: Cloudy with light precipitation and light winds. Freezing level dropping during the day to about 1000 metres.

Avalanche Summary

Reports of moist and wet point releases from very steep terrain on solar exposed aspects. Glide cracks are reported to be opening up and "creeping" down slopes, with a couple of glide avalanches releasing up to size 1.5.

Snowpack Summary

The surface snow is likely undergoing a melt-freeze cycle on all but high elevation shady aspects, while the entire snowpack may even be trending isothermal at lower elevations. On shady aspects, over 20cm of recent storm snow (more on wind-loaded slopes) is settling and bonding well to the previous snow surface, which includes a crust up to treeline elevations. Well preserved surface hoar may be found buried in the upper snowpack on sheltered treeline slopes and below, and has been most active in the northern parts of the region between 900m and 1400m elevation. A well settled mid and lower snowpack may rest on basal facets, especially in thin snowpack areas at higher elevations.

Problems

Loose Wet

Generally small, slow, and often limited to extreme cliffy terrain; however, these dense avalanches can easily knock you off your feet and take you for a ride.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Basal facets, buried surface hoar, and glide avalanches are all expected to become more sensitive to triggering with warm temperatures and solar radiation. Although tricky to pinpoint when and where they might occur, the consequences could be severe.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin, rocky or variable snowpack.>Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>Avoid slopes with glide cracks.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

4 - 7

Valid until: Jan 26th, 2014 2:00PM