Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 2nd, 2016 8:23AM

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

bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

Northernly aspects may still produce big sluffs in steep terrain !

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

The ridge of high pressure that has given us mild upper elevation conditions is forecast to move out of BC by Sunday morning. Cooler air will move into the region bringing an end to the inversion and lowering temperatures in the alpine to more normal, below freezing values. The BC interior should remain dry until Tuesday next week. For more in-depth weather information, visit: http://www.avalanche.ca/weather

Avalanche Summary

A few reports from yesterday speak of loose, dry sluffing from steep solar affected alpine slopes. Otherwise, no avalanche activity to report.

Snowpack Summary

The last few days of clear skies, solar radiation, and warm air trapped at higher elevations has settled the most recent storm snow. Steep southerly aspects have released loose moist or wet avalanches in alpine terrain, and new melt-freeze crusts will be forming overnight as the temperatures drop below freezing. Wind transported snow that formed soft wind slabs should now be bonding with the warm temperatures on many aspects.

Problems

Loose Dry

Steep, northern aspects may still produce sluffs up to size 2. Definitely large enough to bury a rider !

Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs. >Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >Minimize exposure to steep sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong. >Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Although the warm temperatures are good for bonding, there may still be touchy wind slabs at tree line and above. Use caution in wind affected terrain.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow. >Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2016 2:00PM