Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 5th, 2014 8:52AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Monday: Very Strong Westerly winds overnight becoming strong Southwest during the day. Cloudy with very light precipitation. Above freezing layer from 1500 metres to 2000 metres during the day.Tuesday: Moderate to strong Southwest winds with light precipitation and freezing levels lowering to about 500 metres.Wednesday: A trough is expected to move onto the coast on Wednesday, models disagree on timing of this next storm.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity reported.

Snowpack Summary

In general the snowpack seems shallower and more faceted in the northern part of the region, and deeper with more wind and storm slab problems in the south. Isolated pockets of wind slab were reported due to recent moderate to strong Northwest winds. A new layer of surface hoar has developed below about 1100 metres. At 1900 metres elevation on an East aspect in the Shames area the height of snow was 193 cm. The recent storm snow has settled into about a 25 cm layer that is sitting above several laminated thin melt/freeze crusts. Moderate sudden planar shears were experienced in snowpack tests down about 40 cm in a weak facet layer that is sitting above a melt/freeze crust from Christmas. Deeper early December facetted crystals were found to be rounding and gaining strength in this area.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New pockets of wind slab may have formed due to recent Northwest winds at higher elevations.

Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of buried facets near the ground continues to be a concern in the North of the region. The snowpack is quite variable across the region, try to get local knowledge if you are travelling to new areas.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried weak layers.>Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Jan 6th, 2014 2:00PM