Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 16th, 2014 7:49AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Conditions are variable across the region. Dig down and test weak layers if you're headed to the north of the region.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Wednesday will see a mix of sun and cloud with generally light southwest winds. By Thursday evening a stronger weather system will impact the region bringing more steady snowfall and strong southwest winds. Freezing levels will hover around 1000m for the forecast period.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of avalanches. Please let us know what you're seeing out there. Submit your observations by clicking on the "Avalanche Information " tab at the top of the page.

Snowpack Summary

Conditions in the Coquihalla area are quite different to the Duffey/Hurley regions. Reports from the Coquihalla suggest there's less than 1 m of snow in most avalanche areas. On the surface, fairly widespread surface hoar development has been reported. Below this, a small amount of recent storm snow overlies a thick rain crust.In the north, we have very limited observations. That said, I expect a deeper, more complex snowpack where well settled storm snow overlies a mix of crusts and facets which formed in November.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Persistent weak crystals which formed in November are potentially destructive, and are a bigger issue in the north of the region. Use extra caution in steep, unsupported alpine terrain.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Dec 17th, 2014 2:00PM