Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 1st, 2016 8:05AM

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.

Avalanche Canada bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Warm temperatures and solar input will drive the hazard this weekend. Pay close attention to sun affected slopes

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

A modified, dry arctic air mass remains over the much of the province. Expect valley fog in the morning at lower elevations and sunshine in the alpine for most of the interior of BC. Moderate temperatures aloft, with above freezing layers of warm air, will pass through the Province during the weekend.  For more in-depth weather information visit: http://avalanche.ca/weather

Avalanche Summary

Several small loose dry avalanches, small soft slab avalanches, and 1 large glide-crack release have been reported over the last couple of days. Continued warming in the alpine combined with sunny conditions could result in loose natural avalanches from steep south-facing slopes. Recent storm snow will begin to show slab properties as it settles with the warm temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm of settling low density snow overlies a generally strong snowpack. You may encounter wind slabs which are sensitive to the weight of a person near ridge tops. Recent storm snow may sluff in steep terrain, especially with a touch of sun. The lower snowpack is reportedly well settled. The early December weak layer (about 80-150 cm down) is spotty in distribution, but where it does exist still gives hard, sudden results, meaning it is unlikely to be triggered, but could produce a very large avalanche.

Problems

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry
Warm upper elevation temperatures combined with strong solar effect have set the stage for loose sluffs out of steep terrain. These could be big enough to injure or bury a rider.
Minimize exposure to steep sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong. >Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs. >

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent changes in wind direction will mean both soft and hard wind slabs on most aspects, pay close attention as you transition into new terrain, especially at tree line and above.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain. >Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 2nd, 2016 2:00PM