Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 6th, 2017 4:49PM

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

shorton, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Avoid wind loaded pockets and don't let a small slide get the best of you.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Cloudy, light southeast winds, freezing level up to 700 m.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated wet flurries and up to 5 cm of new snow, moderate to strong southeast winds, freezing level up to 1100 m.MONDAY: Flurries with up to 20 cm of new snow, moderate south winds, freezing level around 600 m.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

On Friday, 15 cm of new snow and moderate southeast winds likely formed fresh wind slabs on north-facing slopes in the lee of exposed features. The new snow has buried a variable interface composed of faceted (sugary) snow, wind crusts, and wind slabs. Some of these older buried wind slabs may still be reactive in isolated steep unsupported slopes. Aside from possible wind slab instabilities in the upper snowpack, the mid and lower snowpack are considered to be well settled and stable.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow and moderate winds likely formed small wind slabs in the lee of exposed features. Don't allow a small slide push you into or over a terrain trap.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 7th, 2017 2:00PM