January 5, 2004

North Columbia Region

Weather: The bone chilling arctic weather will continue on Monday, but
will make way on Tuesday for a large warmer and wetter storm from Hawaii.
Clouds will build through Tuesday, with snowfall reaching the region by
late Tuesday afternoon bringing 5-15 cm of snow. Southwestly flow will
then set up for Wednesday, with strong winds in the alpine and continued
snowfall. The arctic air will be slow to move out of the region, so expect
temperatures to remain cold at least through Wednesday.

Snowpack: A mix of hard and soft slabs is reported at the surface in
alpine and treeline areas. Slabs are reportedly more pronounced in the
Cariboo Mountains. The top 20 cm of the snowpack has become faceted with
recent cold temperatures, and some areas are reporting new surface hoar
growth. A combination of wind slab underlain by facets, and areas with new
surface hoar indicates a potentially very weak interface may soon be
loaded by a lot of new snow. The remainder of the underlying snowpack is
relatively strong, although several weaknesses are still present in the
upper 1 m of the snowpack, as well as a weak faceted base.

Avalanche Activity:  A small natural avalanche cycle was reported Sunday
on all aspects above 2000 m elevation. Avalanches were starting within the
top 30 cm of the snowpack, indicating currently unstable slabs.

Forecast of Avalanche Danger Up To Wednesday Evening (January 7, 2004)
Alpine - MODERATE, becoming HIGH on Wednesday
Treeline - MODERATE, becoming CONSIDERABLE late Tuesday
Below Treeline - LOW, becoming CONSIDERABLE late Tuesday

Travel Advisory: The danger level will certainly rise through the storm as
new snow loads currently weak surface layers. Observing natural avalanche
activity will be the best indicator that the danger level has risen.


South Columbia Region

Weather: The arctic air will continue to sit in the region on Monday, but
will slowly move out on Tuesday as a warm, wet and wild weather system
hits the Coast and then moves inland. Snowfall will start near noon
Tuesday, with forecast accumulations of 5-15 cm. As southwest flow sets up
on Wednesday, expect continued snowfall and strong winds in alpine.
Snowfall amounts beyond Tuesday are uncertain. With cold air sitting in
the region, temperatures should remain cold through the first part of the
storm, and slowly warm up.

Snowpack: Observers are reporting pockets of windslab at treeline and
above. Many areas remain unaffected by recent winds, particularly below
treeline where some areas are growing surface hoar. What is consistent,
though, is that very cold temperatures are faceting the top 20-40 cm of
the snowpack, and a weak facet layer underlies the slab in some locations.
The lower snowpack is relatively strong, but a weak layer of facets is
still present at the base of the snowpack, particularly in the Purcell
Mountains.

Avalanche Activity: Small natural and cornice initiated avalanches were
observed in high alpine terrain. Natural avalanche activity can be
expected later on Tuesday or Wednesday with the additional new snow.

Forecast of Avalanche Danger Up To Wednesday Evening (January 7, 2004)
Alpine - MODERATE, becoming HIGH on Wednesday
Treeline - MODERATE, becoming CONSIDERABLE late Tuesday
Below Treeline - LOW, becoming CONSIDERABLE late Tuesday	

Travel Advisory:  With the forecast storm and increasing danger later in
the day, early Tuesday will be a good time to get out and enjoy the
excellent conditions before the snowpack stability deteriorates. Later
Tuesday and Wednesday, the weather conditions should dictate whether you
really want to be in avalanche terrain.

Issued by:  aj