Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2014 8:53AM

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.

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

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

Summary

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Sunny with cloudy periods and valley fog likely. Light winds. Freezing level reaching 3500 m with alpine temperatures close to +10 C, but cooler in valley bottoms. Sunday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Light winds. Freezing level reaching 2500 m with alpine temperatures close to +5 C, but cooler in valley bottoms. Monday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Light northerly winds. Freezing level dropping to 700 m.

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports natural loose wet avalanches up to Size 2.5 in steep rocky sun-exposed terrain in the afternoon. A Size 3 natural glide avalanche was also reported.

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.

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

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

4 - 7

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2014 2:00PM