Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 6th, 2018 5:31PM

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

Avalanche Canada mgrist, Avalanche Canada

Uncertainty exists with forecast amounts of snow: Adjust your terrain use to match the storm snow totals in your area.

Summary

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

We'll see a return to a more seasonal active weather pattern, with modest amounts of snow by Monday afternoon.  SUNDAY: Snow. 10-15 cm accumulation / Moderate south wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 600mMONDAY: Snow. 10-15 cm accumulation / Moderate south west wind / Alpine temperature -2 TUESDAY: Isolated flurries / Moderate north west wind / Alpine temperature -4

Avalanche Summary

In the south of the region, recent avalanche activity has been reported as thin storm slab avalanches to size 1 along with isolated wind slab avalanches on east aspects in the alpine and at tree line.

Snowpack Summary

In the south of the region, recent warming, some rain/freezing rain and daily snowfall of 5 -10 cm has begun to build a thin storm slab. Above tree line the new snow has been redistributed by primarily south - west winds. There are some lingering wind slabs, found on a variety of old surfaces including a thick melt-freeze crust that formed in mid-December. In the north of the region there has been 20-40cm of storm snow since New Year's eve, with moderate to strong southerly winds. Warming temperatures and forecast snow are expected to form touchy storm slabs at all elevations. Danger ratings in the north of the region are likely one step higher than listed on the main page. Beneath the mid-December crust the snowpack is reported to be generally strong with the possible exception of areas around Stewart and northern parts of the region where the late-October, basal crust can be found near the base of the snowpack. Weak sugary faceted snow may exist around this deeply buried crust and could be triggered from shallow snowpack areas.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Storm slabs will be building with successive weather systems - dial back your terrain choices as storm snow totals increase.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Storm snow will form touchy slabs.Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 7th, 2018 2:00PM

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