Avalanche forecast

South Columbia

Jan 9 – 10, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–6
    Wind slabs have formed behind terrain breaks such as ridges and ribs. These could be triggered by the weight of a person or snowmobile and could be surprisingly large.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–5
    Deep storm snow is bonding poorly to the old snow surface. Large storm slabs remain possible, even after the weather improves.

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Light N wind. Alpine temperature near -11. No precipitation.Friday: Light NW wind. Alpine temperature near -12. No precipitation.Saturday: Light W wind. Alpine temperature near -14. Light snow.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural cycle of avalanches up to size 3 has been observed over the past two days. Many failed during rapid wind-loading on Tuesday night. Skiers have also been triggering numerous avalanches, including a size 2-2.5 slab which was triggered remotely from 30 m away. Many avalanches have been failing on surface hoar or facets below the storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

Deep storm snow overlies weak old snow surfaces including surface hoar (most prevalent at and below treeline), facets and sun crusts (found on some steep south to south-west aspects). There is a poor bond at this interface. In wind-exposed terrain, wind slabs and cornices have formed in the lee of ridges and ribs. Storm snow will take time to settle and stabilize, even after the weather improves and temperatures drop. A strong mid-pack overlies a weak facet/crust layer near the base of the snowpack.

Regions covered