Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 19th, 2016 8:45AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

A touchy persistent slab problem demands respect. Use extra caution in your terrain selection.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

A few flurries are possible on Wednesday ahead of a couple of Pacific storms on Thursday and Friday. 5-15 cm of snow is expected each day, with moderate to strong SW winds. The freezing level rises to around 1500 m on Thursday.For more details check out http://www.avalanche.ca/weather.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity has been widespread over the last few days as recent snow has reached a critical load above a volatile weak layer. Human and naturally-triggered avalanches have been most prevalent below treeline, but have also occurred at higher elevations in some parts of the region. These have mostly been in the size 1-2 range, with many triggered remotely from a distance. Wind slabs have also been reported in wind-exposed terrain.

Snowpack Summary

A 40-80 cm persistent slab overlies a variety of surfaces including large surface hoar, sun crusts, and facets. This slab is ripe for human triggers and is especially touchy below treeline. Recently formed wind slabs also exist on lee features at alpine and treeline elevations. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The slab sitting over a volatile weak layer is primed for human triggering. It has been most reactive below treeline.

Use conservative route selection.>Avoid steep open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Extra caution required below treeline.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Wind Slabs

Recently formed wind slabs may be lurking behind ridges and ribs.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 20th, 2016 2:00PM