Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Jan 9 – 10, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–5
    A weak layer of surface hoar and/or facetted snow exists under the recent storm snow and has been susceptible to human triggering.

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A ridge of high pressure will build in for Thursday. The ridge is interrupted on Friday as a weak disturbance pushes through. Thursday: Mainly sunny. Light northwest winds. Freezing level at valley bottom.Friday: A chance of flurries or light snow. Light northwest winds. Freezing level at valley bottom.Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level remains at valley bottom.  

Avalanche Summary

There is one new report of a skier controlled size 2 avalanche in the northern part of the region. The slide released on a steep convex roll below treeline and likely failed on the late December persistent weakness.

Snowpack Summary

50-100cm of storm snow has fallen in the past 10 days or so. Weaknesses exist within and under this recent storm snow including touchy surface hoar and/or facets from the end of December under it all. Recent strong southwesterly to easterly winds have set up wind slabs in many exposed lee areas. A deeper surface hoar layer was buried at the beginning of December and is now down well over a metre, but there are no recent reports of activity on this layer. Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer continues to concern local avalanche professionals. This weakness is unlikely to be triggered by a single person, but it remains possible with a very heavy load (e.g. cornice fall) or from a thin-spot trigger point.

Regions covered