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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 22nd, 2013–Jan 23rd, 2013
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Northwest Inland.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Moderate to strong SW wind.  Alpine temperature near -5. Moderate snow.Thursday: Strong S to SW winds. Alpine temperature near -5. Light snow, becoming moderate late in the day.Friday: Strong SW winds. Alpine temperature near -5. Light to moderate snow.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, hard wind slabs failed naturally in the north of the region on northeast and east aspects. In isolated occurrences, these triggered full-depth avalanches that ran on basal facets. No avalanches have been reported since then.

Snowpack Summary

The current medley of snow surfaces includes hard and soft wind slabs, scoured slopes, blue ice and thin melt-freeze crusts. New snow may bond poorly to some of these surfaces, especially where surface hoar sits on a hard crust. Surface hoar layers buried in the upper snowpack are patchy in their distribution. Recent snowpack tests gave moderate to hard, resistant results on one of these layers near Smithers. An otherwise strong mid-pack overlies a weak base layer of facets/depth hoar and the remnants of a crust. The snowpack depth is around 100 cm at treeline.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Incoming snow may bond poorly to old surfaces. New wind slabs are also likely to develop during the next few days.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

A deeply buried facet/crust weakness exists near the base of the snowpack. This layer could be triggered by large loads such as a cornice collapse or from a thin-spot trigger point.
Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 6