Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 11th, 2012 9:34AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

Thursday: 10-15cm of snow / strong southwest winds / freezing level climbing from surface to 450m throughout the dayFriday: Very light snowfall / light westerly winds / -12.0 at 1500mSaturday: Light snowfall / light to moderate westerly winds / -12.0 at 1500m

Avalanche Summary

Some size 1.5- size 2 natural slab avalanches failing from recent wind loading in the souther part of the region.Widespread explosive-controlled size 4-4.5 activity in the Bear Pass area on tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Some areas (Terrace, Kaziks) are reporting an alpine snowpack of 5 metres. In these areas the mid-december surface hoar is buried down about 250 cm with a well settled and strong 80 cm above. These deeper snowpack areas are reporting that there are no shears except in the top 50 cm of storm snow; and these shears on recent stellar crystal weakness are expected to bond within the next few days. Areas that experienced very strong winds during the recent storm may have thick windslabs that may take another couple of days to settle. The lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong.Expect new wind slab development with forecast wind and snow.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs that developed during the storm will take a couple of days to settle and strengthen.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Storm Slabs

Thursday's snowfall will add to a layer of recent storm snow that may take a couple of days to bond to the old surface.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Jan 12th, 2012 8:00AM