South Coast Avalanche Forecast — Dec 16, 2015

Highlights

Wind slabs continue to be a problem at higher elevations. Avalanche danger increasing with new storm on Friday.

Avalanche problems

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
1–2
Wind slabs may continue to be triggered by light additional loads in the alpine. Watch for pockets of wind slab directly below ridges.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Becoming overcast during the day on Thursday as a storm pushes inland from the coast. A few cm should accumulate on Thursday with another 5-10 cm by Friday morning combined with strong southerly winds. Continued snow and moderate southerly winds on Friday. Flurries with periods of broken skies on Saturday. The next storm should develop on Saturday night

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

40-50cm of snow from last weekend's storm was shifted by strong winds into much deeper deposits in high elevation lee terrain. In the Coquihalla area, reports suggest weak surface hoar may exist below the recent storm snow, although there is some uncertainty as to its distribution and reactivity. This interface may be something to keep an eye on as the overlying slab gets deeper and gains cohesion. You'll likely find a hard rain crust buried approximately 100cm below the surface. This rain crust extends up to about 2000m.

Avalanche danger