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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 11th, 2014–Jan 12th, 2014

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Sunday: Moderate to locally heavy snowfall, rain in some areas / Strong to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level rising through the day to 1000mMonday: Moderate snowfall / Strong west winds / Freezing level at 100mmTuesday: Heavy snow and rain / Strong to extreme southwest winds / Freezing levels rising to 2000m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche have been reported

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack seems shallower and more faceted in the northern part of the region, and deeper with more wind slab problems in the south. Professionals in the area note there is much more snow cover variability this year compared to most years.Around the Skeena corridor 30-50cm of recently fallen snow overlies a variety of old surfaces which include surface hoar in sheltered locations, and wind-affected snow at upper elevations. Depending on your location, you may find a facet/crust combo or surface hoar about 60cm below the surface. Report suggest these layers are gaining strength; however, they may be worth keeping an eye on as the snow load above them increases. Below this the mid and lower snowpack layers area are reported to be strong and well bonded in most of the region however basal weaknesses

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.