Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 13th, 2014 8:37AM

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

esharp, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A ridge of high pressure will build to the south deflecting a series of storms at the North Coast. A moist, sub-tropical moisture stream looks to feed these systems with moisture spilling over the coast ranges into the inland regions.Tonight and Tuesday: Moderate snow becoming rain/ Strong to extreme southwest winds / Freezing levels 2000m in the Bulkley, 1500m north of the SkennaWednesday: Cloudy / Light northwest winds / Freezing level 800mThursday: Cloudy / Light northwest winds / Freezing level 1800m

Avalanche Summary

Reports of natural storm snow avalanches releasing in wind loaded features from the west of the region.

Snowpack Summary

A recent profile from 1400m elevation on a Northwest aspect in the Hankin area shows the height of snow to be about 155 cm.Up to 50 to 65cm cm of low density snow now overlies heavily wind-affected surfaces at upper elevations and well developed surface hoar or crust at mid-treeline and below. These layers will be something to watch as the overlying snow settles into a more cohesive slab.The mid and lower snowpack are found to be generally gaining strength with depth until the bottom 20-40cm where weak faceted crystals exist down to the ground.

Problems

Storm Slabs

As temperatures rise and the precipitation intensifies watch for increased reactivity in wind-exposed terrain especially at and bellow treeline where the storm snow is sitting on a widespread layer of surface hoar.

Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Avoid alpine terrain.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

The forecast snows will be a good test for weak layers near the bottom of the snow pack. Triggering a persistent weakness could have nasty consequences. Avoid thin spots, cross-loaded slopes or unsupported terrain.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Jan 14th, 2014 2:00PM