Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 24th, 2015 8:22AM

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

esharp, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

There is great riding to be had but don't let your guard down. Avalanche hazard still exists especially on ridge loaded lee features in the alpine and cross loaded terrain at and above tree-line.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

Friday and Saturday look to be mainly dry. Â Â An artic front just inland stretches almost all the way down the coast and will keep freezing levels below 500m. Winds will be light southwesterly through the forecast period.Â Sunday will see isolated flurries.

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 skier triggered avalanche was reported from the Joffre group on Wednesday. It released on a wind loaded feature at ridgeline.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15cm of new snow fell on Thursday bring the week's storm snow amounts up to 45cm. Variable winds have stripped snow from exposed south facing terrain and formed fresh winds slabs at tree-line and above. The new snow may be sitting on a sun-crust on steep solar aspects in the Coquihalla. At lower elevations you may be able to find a layer of surface hoar layer that was reported to be buried on December 17th although some reports indicate that this layer is starting to bread down.

Problems

Wind Slabs

People have been getting surprised by isolated pockets of wind slab at the tree-line and in the alpine.

If you have the skills carefully dropping chunks of cornice onto a slope can be a low risk way to test start zones before committing to a bigger line.>The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 25th, 2015 2:00PM