Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 28th, 2014–Jan 29th, 2014

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Northwest Inland.

Some thin new wind slabs are expected to develop with the forecast new snow. New snow is not expected to bond well to the old hard surface where surface hoar and/or facets exist.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Wednesday: Overcast with moderate Westerly winds overnight and 3-5 cm of snow above about 700 metres. The freezing level is expected to continue to drop during the day as light flurries continue.Thursday: A few more cm of snow are forecast for the morning before the winds shift to the Northeast and colder arctic air enters the region.Friday: Mostly clear with moderate Northerly winds and freezing levels at valley bottoms. Alpine temperatures around -15.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

The inversion broke down a little earlier than forecast in the interior, resulting in a solid melt-freeze crust that now has a layer of surface hoar above; even on southerly aspects. Forecast new snow amounts are only a couple of cm, so this layer may not get buried deep enough to persist through the next period of high pressure. If we get more snow than forecast expect the crust/surface hoar combination to be a very easy sliding layer. The deep persistent layer of weak facets continues to be a concern in shallow snowpack areas, however the re-frozen upper snowpack may make triggering less likely.

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deeply buried weak facetted crystals continue to be a concern on slopes with a shallow snowpack.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin, rocky or variable snowpack.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 3 - 6