Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2016 7:58AM

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.

pmarshall, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Recent observations are very limited from the region. If you're out in the mountains please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network.

Summary

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Monday: Increasing cloud with possible flurries. The freezing level is valley bottom. Winds are light to moderate from the S-SE. Tuesday: Cloudy with light snow. The freezing level climbs to 1000-1200 m and winds are strong from the S-SW. Wednesday: Cloudy with periods of snow. The freezing level could spike to 1500 m and winds remain strong.

Avalanche Summary

There are very few recent observations from the region. A couple natural size 2 slab avalanches were observed in wind-loaded terrain (N-NE aspects) at around 1800 m on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Fresh and reactive wind slabs could be found in lee and cross-loaded features. There is a notable persistent weakness of buried surface hoar in many places, generally found between 30 and 60 cm deep. Wind, sunshine, and milder temperatures could help promote slab development in the snow overlying this interface. Stay tuned to signs of instability like recent avalanches, whumpfing, and shooting cracks. The mid pack that was reported to be well settled may have now facetted in the shallower areas, and the deeper basal layers are almost certainly facetted and weak.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for pockets of wind slab in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. These wind slabs could be triggered by the weight of a skier or sled, especially where they are sitting on a persistent weakness.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain. >Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

New snow has been slowly accumulating over a layer of facets and surface hoar and may now be primed for triggering in some areas.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.>Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2016 2:00PM