Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 28th, 2016 8:25AM

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

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

Continued conservative decision making is recommended as the snowpack settles and adjusts to the recent load and warming.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: A mix on sun and cloud with isolated light flurries. Freezing levels dropping to 1200m and light southwesterly winds. SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud but mainly dry. Freezing levels dropping to 1000m and light northwesterly winds. SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud and mainly dry with freezing levels dropping below valley bottoms and light northwesterly winds.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Wednesday include a isolated storm and wind slab avalanches up to Size 2 from natural, skier and explosive triggers.

Snowpack Summary

Weaknesses exist within and under the 30-50cm of recent storm snow, which is particularly deep and touchy on wind-loaded slopes in alpine and exposed treeline areas, and bonding poorly to buried surface hoar where it wasn't destroyed by wind or a crust at lower elevations. The persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar, sun crusts, rime crusts and/or facets that was buried in early January is now down about 50-100 cm. The overlying slab remains primed for triggering and is especially touchy at and below treeline. Below that, the snowpack is well settled and strong.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Fresh storm and wind slabs are sensitive to human triggers an particulary touchy where they are bonding poorly to recently buried surface hoar or crust.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain. >The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Surface hoar buried at the beginning of January remains primed for human triggers. The potential for widespread propagation and remote triggering makes this persistent slab particularly tricky to manage.

Avoid steep open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Use conservative route selection and be aware of the possibility of remote triggering.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Jan 29th, 2016 2:00PM