Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 14th, 2016 8:09AM

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

Avalanche Canada esharp, Avalanche Canada

We're dealing with a complex snowpack at the moment. Now is a good time to make conservative terrain choices.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Friday: No precipitation is expected, strong easterly outflow winds and -2 to -5 at treeline. Saturday: Snowfall starting over night with accumulations of between 5 and 10cm throughout the day, -5 to -10 at treeline, moderate southerly winds. Sunday: Light snow in the morning becoming intermittent flurries by the afternoon, - 5 at treeline, light to moderate southeasterly winds.

Avalanche Summary

We've receive sporadic reports of natural, explosive, skier remote and skier triggered avalanches ranging from size 1-2 from across the region through the week. Shooting cracks are being observed wherever the recent storm snow is starring to slab up. We haven't had any recent reports of these surface avalanches steeping down to any of the deeper week layers, although the potential for this to happen could still be there.

Snowpack Summary

We're dealing with a complex snow pack with multiple buried weak layers in the top meter. Between 15 and 35cm of new snow now is settling into a soft slab that sits above a widespread layer of surface hoar. Moderate southerly winds have loaded lee features. Snowpack tests have been producing easy failures on this layer, especially in places where the surface hoar is sitting on firm, previously wind affected snow. Below this you can find up to 3 other distinct buried weak layers of surface hoar, faceted snow, or thin sun crusts. These deeper weak interfaces continue to produce variable results in snowpack tests. Although they appear to be gaining strength they're worth keeping on your radar; especially in the thinner snowpack areas in the east of the region.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
A soft slab is developing above a layer of surface hoar. Moderate to strong winds have also loaded lee features on a variety of aspects. Back off if you start seeing signs of instability such as recent avalanches, blowing snow, or shooting cracks.
Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Strong outflow winds may be reverse loading lee features even at lower elevations. Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Jan 15th, 2016 2:00PM