Avalanche forecast

South Columbia

Jan 7 – 8, 2016Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

If you are out in the mountains, please consider submitting your observations to our MIN (Mountain Information Network).

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Thin wind slabs may be found on several aspects as the wind direction changes and becomes more northerly.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Fresh cornice growth may be fragile and fall off naturally or be easily triggered.

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure is building over most of the province. Colder modified arctic air is expected to descend from the north. Alpine lows should be around -15 and highs around -10 combined with light northerly winds. Expect broken skies with periods of light flurries on Friday. Very little precipitation should be left by Saturday and Sunday.

Avalanche Summary

Natural cornice avalanches and natural and skier controlled wind slab avalanches up to size 1.0 have been reported. Most of these have been on northerly aspects in the lee of local winds. Winds have been generally easterly, but some areas have had locally more southerly winds due to terrain.

Snowpack Summary

10-25 cm of new snow is now sitting on the mix of surface hoar, near surface facets, and sun crust that was left behind after the recent clear and warm weather. Easterly winds have transported the new snow and some of the loose snow available into wind slabs at higher elevations. The new snow is reported to be loose and unconsolidated except where the wind slabs exist. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong.

Regions covered