Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 30th, 2014 8:21AM

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

rbuhler, Avalanche Canada

Purcells.

Loose sluffing of new snow is expected in steep terrain. Use increased caution around terrain traps where consequences of a small sluff could be serious. In the south, moderate alpine winds on Friday may create a wind slabs in lee features.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure once again dominates conditions in the interior during the forecast period. Friday: A mix of sun and cloud, dry conditions, treeline temperatures around -12, mountain-top winds up to 35 km/h NWSaturday/Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, dry conditions, treeline temperatures around -15, light NW mountain-top winds

Avalanche Summary

Reports of small natural and human-triggered loose sluffing from steep terrain features.

Snowpack Summary

The upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated and layers are well bonded. However, a facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack remains a concern. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be large, destructive avalanches. This is referred to as a 'low probability, high consequence' event. We are recommending avoiding thin or rocky areas on steep, convex, unsupported slopes. In most areas, a widespread weak layer is now buried by new snow (around 10cm in the northern part of region, 20cm+ in the area around Kimberley). This weak layer consists of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on open south facing slopes, facet grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of any of the above. This layer may become a problem in the future when we finally get more snowfall.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate NW winds forecast for Friday may redistribute the new storm snow and create soft-slabs in immediate leeward features. This is primarily a concern for areas in the southern part of the region which received greater new snowfall (20cm+).

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets >

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 31st, 2014 2:00PM