Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Northwest Coastal.
Carefully assess wind effected terrain before committing to a feature. Rider triggerable wind slab can still be found near ridge crests and steep roll overs.
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
Sunday night: light flurries with light winds. Low of -8 at 900m.
Monday: light flurries throughout the day. Light to moderate west winds with a high of -3 at 900m.
Tuesday: some light flurries with a high of -5 at 900m. Light winds from the north.
Wednesday: up to 10cm of new snow with moderate to strong southwest winds. High of -5 at 900m.
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday explosives triggered two size 2 avalanches in the north part of the forecast region where snowfall amounts were greater during the recent storm. No notable avalanches have been reported in the Shames area in a few days.
On Friday a very large (size 3) wind slab was triggered by a natural cornice fall. This avalanche was on a north east aspect at 1700m.
Snowpack Summary
up to 20cm of recent storm snow overlies a variety of surfaces including surface hoar, facets and a crust. A melt freeze crust caps most of the terrain at or below treeline as well as south facing terrain in the alpine. Surface hoar can be found in isolated sheltered features at treeline.
The January 19th surface hoar layer can still be found down 30 to 50 at treeline and above in sheltered terrain. Recent reports indicate that it is becoming less of a concern.Â
Terrain and Travel
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Rider triggerable wind slab could still be found at treeline and above. Sensitivity could be greater in areas where wind slab has formed over a crust, facets or surface hoar.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
Although we have not seen reports of avalanches on this layer in a few days it is likely still possible to trigger it in isolated sheltered terrain features on north and east aspects at treeline where a crust has not formed above it.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5