Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 3rd, 2011 8:51AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure is expected to continue to provide drier and cooler temperatures to the interior on Sunday. The temperature should rise on Monday causing the freezing level to rise dramatically to near 3000 metres. Monday evening the ridge is expected to weaken, and light flurries are expected by Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

Natural and explosive controlled avalanches up to size 3.0 releasing in the storm snow. Some of the larger releases have been from glide avalanches. Most of this activity is in the West of the region closer to the coast. We don't have any new reports from the Interior.

Snowpack Summary

Very strong W-SW winds have probably wreaked havoc in any exposed terrain. Expect to find scoured areas, sastrugi, and hard or stiff wind slabs. The average snowpack depth at treeline is over 200cm. The mid and lower snowpack are generally quite strong. Watch for clues of instability like whumpfs or shooting cracks, and if observed back off any steeper objectives.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Very strong W-SW winds have created hard and soft wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain well into treeline.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Storm Slabs

Give the new snow a chance to settle and gain strength before pushing into more committing terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 4th, 2011 8:00AM