Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 14th, 2015 8:36AM

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

bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

The recent snowfall has produced numerous large natural avalanches. Choose conservative terrain to stay safe during this instability period.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

A fast-moving cold front will arrive on the North Coast on Thursday afternoon bringing more precipitation. Rain at lower elevations and snow above 1500 metres. Freezing level should drop to 700 metres late Thusday night, or early Friday morning.

Avalanche Summary

Reports of natural avalanche activity up to size 3 between 700 and 1700 metres on s facing slopes.Â Explosives testing in the region has produced numerous size 1 to 2 avalanches suspected to fail on the Dec. melt-freeze crust and facets associated with this layer.Wind loaded slopes reactive to skier triggering.

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds have redistributed the recent storm snow into wind slabs, and rain is saturating the surface of the snowpack at treeline and below. Above treeline, a buried surface hoar layer 10-20cm below the surface has been reported. The mid-December crust/facet layer exists throughout the area where it hasn't been wiped out by recent avalanche activity. The November crust near the bottom of the snowpack is generally well bonded but may still be reactive in areas with shallow snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent storm snow is being redistributed onto lee slopes and reported to be reactive to rider triggering.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.>Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

This buried layer is still reactive with a large enough trigger.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.>Use caution around convexities, ridge crests, rock outcroppings and anywhere else with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Jan 15th, 2015 2:00PM