Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2013 9:42AM

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

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observations for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Wednesday and Thursday: Mostly clear with isolated flurries possible. Freezing levels down to seal level and light to moderate northerly winds. Friday: Mostly cloudy with light snow flurries throughout the day, freezing levels at sea level and light westerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports are limited, but include minor natural and ski-cut sluffing as well as a couple of Size 1, 10cm deep ski-cut wind slab avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Another 15-20cm has added to the 40-90cm of storm snow in the past 10 days or so. Weaknesses exist within and under this recent storm snow including touchy surface hoar and/or facets from the end of December under it all. Recent strong southwesterly to easterly winds have set up wind slabs in many exposed lee areas. A deeper surface hoar layer was buried at the beginning of December and is now down well over a metre, but there are no recent reports of activity on this layer. Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer continues to concern local avalanche professionals. This weakness is unlikely to be triggered by a single person, but it remains possible with a very heavy load (e.g. cornice fall) or from a thin-spot trigger point.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Touchy weakness are strewn within and under the storm snow accumulated since late Dec. Expect to find particularly deep and weak wind slab below ridge crests and behind terrain features on all aspects in exposed areas.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2013 2:00PM