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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 9th, 2014–Jan 10th, 2014

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Friday: Light to moderate snowfall / Moderate to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 500mSaturday: Flurries intensifying to heavy snowfall overnight / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 500mSunday: Heavy snowfall / Moderate to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 1000m

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control in the far north of the region produced a few size 2.5 wind slab avalanches which likely failed on depth hoar. No other avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack seems shallower and more faceted in the northern part of the region, and deeper with more wind slab problems in the south. Professionals in the area note there is much more snowcover variability this year compared to most years.Around the Skeena corridor light to locally moderate amounts of new snow now overlie a variety of old surfaces which include surface hoar in sheltered locations, and wind-affected snow at upper elevations. Wind data suggests the new snow has most likely been pushed into healthy wind slabs in exposed areas. Depending on your location, you may find a facet/crust combo or surface hoar about 60cm below the surface. Reports suggest these layers are gaining strength; however, they may be worth keeping an eye on with forecast storm loading over the next few days. Below this, the mid and lower snowpack are mostly thought to be strong and well bonded in this area.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.