Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 23rd, 2015 7:47AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

The wet, warm, and windy storm will result in High avalanche danger.

Summary

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Warm, wet, and windy overnight as another 10-15 mm of precipitation moves into the region. The freezing level is expected to be about 2500 metres overnight and then rise up close to 3000 metres on Saturday. Another 5-7 mm during the day on Saturday with strong Southwest winds, and then another 3-5 mm by Sunday morning. On Sunday the freezing level may start to creep down a bit in the alpine, but still very warm in the valleys. Forecast precipitation for Sunday and Monday are starting to look a bit lower, with only 2-3 mm expected on Sunday and 1-3 mm for Monday. Freezing level should remain close to 2400 metres on both days.

Avalanche Summary

Several natural wind slab avalanches were reported during and at the end of the storm that ended early Monday. On Monday one natural size 3 avalanche and one size 1.5 accidentally triggered avalanche were reported from the South Chilcotin Mountains. These were both wind slabs on northerly aspects near ridge top. Numerous size 1-2 loose wet slides were observed in the Coquihalla on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

New storm snow is sitting on a sun crust or surface hoar that caps the 30-50 cm of settling storm snow or faceted powder. Deep and dense wind slabs are likely bonding poorly to another hard crust and/or surface hoar layer in exposed wind-affected terrain. The bond to the crust could be somewhat variable but many observers report a good bond. Where surface hoar is present (possibly above the crust) the storm slab has been more reactive to ski testing on steep unsupported features. Deeper snowpack weaknesses are still on our radar, but seem to be dormant for the time being.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
New storm slabs are expected to develop due to forecast snow and strong winds.
Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
Forecast warm temperatures and high freezing levels may result in loose wet avalanches starting in steep terrain.
Avoid slopes with glide cracks.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 24th, 2015 2:00PM