Avalog Join
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 14th, 2019–Dec 15th, 2019
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
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Northwest Coastal.

Another day with a stable weather pattern. Cooler, drier conditions will give way to a series of frontal systems impacting the region early in the week.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods, light wind from the northwest, alpine high temperatures around -7 C.

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.

MONDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm, moderate to strong wind from the southwest, alpine high temperature around -4 C.

TUESDAY: Snow, accumulation 20-40 cm, moderate to strong wind from the southwest, alpine high temperature around -5 C.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity. Looking ahead, the main concern is slabs forming above the recently buried surface hoar recent new snow continues to settle.

Snowpack Summary

10-30 cm of fresh snow may now be sitting above a concerning layer of surface hoar that formed in areas sheltered from the wind. As more snow accumulates over this layer expect to see it form very reactive slabs. Reports suggest this layer can be found on all aspects up to treeline elevations. In the alpine, the new snow is burying hard wind slabs and/or sun crusts on south-facing terrain. The lower snowpack is generally considered strong, as there has been very little to report in terms of recent avalanche activity or snowpack test results on deeper layers. Snowpack depths at treeline range from 100-150 cm and taper quickly at lower elevations.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent new snow combined with west, southwest and northwest winds have promoted windslab development. At treeline, these slabs may be sitting on a recently buried weak layer of surface hoar.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2