Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 10th, 2015 8:21AM

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

bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

No significant snowfall is expected in the next few days, but be aware of the potential for triggering wind slabs in exposed terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Good - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Cool temperatures and flurries in the forecast for the next few days. No significant snowfall or change in the weather for the the next week.

Avalanche Summary

One operator in the north of the region has reported several natural wind-slab avalanches, up to size 2.5,Â in steep west facing terrain in the alpine. No other reports of avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

A thin melt-freeze crust now covers the 40-80 cm of recent storm snow up to at least treeline. Strong and variable winds have created soft and stiff wind slabs on varying aspects in exposed terrain. Below the recent storm snow is a rain crust at lower elevations and a temperature crust has formed in some locations from the recent temperature inversion. In the mid-pack a surface hoar layer has been reported, although it appears to be spotty in distribution. Near the bottom of the snowpack is a crust facet combo that was buried in mid-November.

Problems

Wind Slabs

The last strong wind event redistributed the storm snow into wind slabs in lee terrain features and may have cross loaded gully features.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Rider triggering is unlikely at this time, but a larger trigger such as a small avalanche or a cornice failure might trigger deeper instabilities.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>Use caution around convexities, ridge crests, rock outcroppings and anywhere else with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Jan 11th, 2015 2:00PM