North Rockies - BC Avalanche Report

Date/Time issued:
    Thursday, January 08, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Valid until:
    Thursday, January 08, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Next Scheduled Update:
   Thursday, January 15, 2009

  				  	Thursday
Alpine 				3 - CONSIDERABLE
Treeline 			3 - CONSIDERABLE
Below Treeline 		3 - CONSIDERABLE

Confidence: Fair - we have very limited recent information for this region.

Primary Concerns:

    * Storm Snow: Storm snow, with wind and warming temperatures, continues to load 
	   a weak snowpack.

Special Message:   Warming temperatures and additional storm snow will increase the 
likelihood of both natural and human triggered avalanches - be extremely cautious during 
periods of rising temperature and as storm snow continues to accumulate.

Travel Advisory:   Issued: Thu, Jan 8 Next Scheduled Update: Thu, Jan 15

It keeps on snowing! This additional load, combined with strong winds and warming 
temperatures, means that you have to stay on your toes if you plan to travel in the 
backcountry over the next week. Our data from this region are limited, so it's really 
important for you to collect local information before venturing into avalanche 
terrain. Ask experienced locals for beta, if you know any who have been out and about 
lately. Also, plan your route so that you can make observations in simple terrain without 
exposure to avalanche paths before deciding whether or not to venture into more challenging 
terrain. Expect increased natural activity as snowfall picks up and temperatures rise. 
Whumpfing, cracking and and signs of recent avalanche activity are clues telling you that 
conditions are touchy and that avalanches could be easily triggered. Again, low angle terrain 
features without overhead exposure or potential terrain traps below are wise choices under 
these circumstances.

Avalanche Activity:   Issued: Thu, Jan 8 Next Scheduled Update: Thu, Jan 15

Observations from the region are scarce, but we have received a couple of recent reports 
of natural avalanches large enough to injure, bury or kill a person running from steep 
terrain. Whumpfing below treeline has also been reported. Continued snowfall, strong winds 
and rising temperatures, as forecast, are expected increase the probability of natural and 
human-triggered avalanche activity.

Snowpack:   Issued: Thu, Jan 8 Next Scheduled Update: Thu, Jan 15

Recent storm snow amounts in the region total approximately 40 - 70 cm. Although this snow 
was generally light and unconsolidated when deposited, we suspect that settlement and wind 
may have created pockets of soft slab in the alpine and perhaps in open treeline areas. This 
storm snow sits above a layer of weak faceted snow crystal and a variety of thin weak crusts; 
old, hard wind slabs may also lurk beneath the storm snow in some alpine areas. Warmer 
temperatures associated with forecast snow may create up-side down conditions, where a denser 
layer of surface snow sits above a lighter, less consolidated storm snow layer.

Weather:   Issued: Thu, Jan 8 Next Scheduled Update: Thu, Jan 15

5-15 cm new snow is forecast on Friday with very strong westerly winds. Light to moderate 
snowfall continues through the weekend, with up to 5-10 cm accumulation each day. There is 
some uncertainty regarding amount, but more organized precipitation should bring another 
10-20 cm on Monday. Although warming is forecast through the early half of the forecast 
period, treeline temperatures are expected to remain below freezing.

Issued by: Laura Bakermans