Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 4th, 2013 9:29AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

It's worth noting that the weather forecast has changed and a storm is now expected this weekend.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Moderate S winds. Alpine temperature near -5. Around 5-15 cm snow. Highest amounts around Allison Pass and the Coquihalla.Sunday: Moderate SW winds. Alpine temperature near -5. 10-15 cm snow.Monday: Light SW winds, changing to NW. Alpine temperature near -7. Â Very light snow.

Avalanche Summary

A skier triggered a small hard slab on Wednesday and was knocked off his feet. Glide slabs have been releasing in steep smooth rocky terrain. Otherwise, there has been little recent avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs overlie a generally settled snowpack, with no significant weak layers reported in the upper or mid snowpack. Current surfaces include surface hoar, sun crusts and facets. These may provide a weak interface with forecast snowfall. Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer appears to be inactive. However, it still produces sudden shears in snowpack tests in isolated areas, especially in the northern part of the region. Although unlikely, triggering an avalanche on this layer is possible from thin snowpack areas or with a very heavy trigger.

Problems

Storm Slabs

New snow may not bond well to the old snow surface. Winds are also likely to transport snow onto downwind slopes, leaving wind slabs behind.

Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 5th, 2013 2:00PM