Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 18th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Cornices.
dboucher,
Avalanche Canada
Wet snow, rain and warm temperatures have kept cornices heavy and fragile. Take care on and under ridge lines.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the fact that cornice falls are particularly difficult to forecast.
Weather Forecast
The ridge of high pressure over the BC interior will weaken on Wednesday morning as a Pacific frontal system pushes eastward spreading snow to the coastal ranges.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy, no precipitation, 5-15 km/h southwesterly winds, low treeline temperature 0 C with freezing level at 1300 m.
WEDNESDAY: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries starting in the afternoon, accumulation 5-10 cm, 10-20 km/h southerly winds, high treeline temperature 0 C with freezing level at 1300 m.
THURSDAY: Snow, accumulation 25-30 cm, 40-60 km/h westerly winds, high treeline temperature 0 C with freezing level going down to 1000 m.
FRIDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, 20-40 km/h northwesterly winds, high treeline temperature +3 C with freezing level at 2300 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity have been reported over the last few days.
If you head out into the mountains please share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Heavy rain and warm temperatures have saturated the surface snow to around 2100 m, forming a surface crust as temperatures cool the wet snow. Below this, snow is moist down 25-50 cm where several previous crusts sit that are currently breaking down.Â
Around 150 to 200 cm deep, sugary faceted grains may sit above a melt freeze crust, that formed during the cold spell in late December. Reports suggest that the snowpack may be bonding well to these layers. The middle and base of the snowpack are strong, consisting of well-bonded snow and various hard melt-freeze crusts.
Terrain and Travel
- Large cornice falls are dangerous on their own.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Problems
Cornices
Wet snow, rain and warm temperatures over the last days have kept cornices heavy and fragile - take care on and under ridge lines.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 19th, 2022 4:00PM
