Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 3rd, 2016 8:30AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
jlammers,
Avalanche Canada
Low Danger does not mean No Danger. Make observations continually as you travel.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
On Monday expect a mix of sun and cloud and light southeast winds. On Tuesday and Wednesday, light flurries and moderate to strong southeast winds are possible. That said, there's significant model disagreement on snowfall amounts. Freezing levels should stay at valley bottom for the forecast period.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported.
Snowpack Summary
Although recently formed wind slabs have likely gained strength, I'd remain cautious on steep, unsupported slopes in the immediate lee of ridge crests. Thanks to recent solar radiation and warmer alpine temperatures, you'll likely find a melt-freeze crust on steep, sun-exposed slopes at higher elevations. We're still dealing with a thin, early-season snowpack for much of the Northwest Inland region. Shedin creek snow pillow is at historical minimum snow depth, and Tsai creek snow pillow is setting a new historical minimum snow depth. Between 80 and 100 cm of snow can be found at tree-line in the south and west of the region, with closer to 60 cm in the east. A weak basal layer probably exists in most areas, and I suspect that the ongoing cold temperatures have continued to promote faceting in the snowpack, especially in shallow, rocky areas.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Although they've become less likely to trigger, thin wind slabs may continue to linger at higher elevations. These wind slabs may be found on several aspects due to changing wind directions.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 4th, 2016 2:00PM
