Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Jan 10 – 11, 2015Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

No significant snowfall is expected in the next few days, but be aware of the potential for triggering wind slabs in exposed terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    The last strong wind event redistributed the storm snow into wind slabs in lee terrain features and may have cross loaded gully features.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–6
    Rider triggering is unlikely at this time, but a  larger trigger such as a small avalanche or a cornice failure might trigger deeper instabilities.

Confidence

Good - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Cool temperatures and flurries in the forecast for the next few days. No significant snowfall or change in the weather for the the next week.

Avalanche Summary

One operator in the north of the region has reported several natural wind-slab avalanches, up to size 2.5,  in steep west facing terrain in the alpine. No other reports of avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

A thin melt-freeze crust now covers the 40-80 cm of recent storm snow up to at least treeline. Strong and variable winds have created soft and stiff wind slabs on varying aspects in exposed terrain. Below the recent storm snow is a rain crust at lower elevations and a temperature crust has formed in some locations from the recent temperature inversion. In the mid-pack a surface hoar layer has been reported, although it appears to be spotty in distribution. Near the bottom of the snowpack is a crust facet combo that was buried in mid-November.

Regions covered