Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 4th, 2014–Dec 5th, 2014

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Coast.

We're expecting a gradual change to warmer and wetter weather but it could take a while to significantly impact this region.

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Friday: Cloudy with showers, flurries, or freezing rain depending on elevation (trace to 5mm). The freezing level is around 1000 m but an above freezing layer is likely near 2000 m. Ridge winds are 10-25 km/h from the S-SW. Saturday: Much the same as Friday but winds increase to 30-50 km/h from the southwest. Sunday: Probably a drier day. The freezing level rises or the above freezing layer deepens. Winds are moderate from the south.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of avalanches. Please let us know what you're seeing out there at forecaster@avalanche.ca.

Snowpack Summary

The current snow surface is highly variable and includes surface facets (dry sugary snow) and surface hoar in sheltered areas, and pockets of wind slab or an ice crust in open wind-exposed terrain (depending on aspect). Strong and variable winds over the past week have probably created dense wind slabs on a variety of aspects and has cross-loaded gulley features. A weak layer of facetted snow on a crust may be lurking deeper in the snowpack, but may be limited to slopes above treeline. There's limited recent info on this weakness so I recommend digging to confirm the existence of the layer, its depth, and to test its strength. Snow pack depth and snow quality drastically diminishes as you drop below treeline.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New wind slabs may form on north to east facing slopes. These wind slabs may be sitting on a slick crust from last weeks rain and may not bond well. Old hard wind slabs may also be lurking on west or south facing slopes.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3