Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Dec 15, 2018Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect for this region. Human triggered avalanches remain a concern, particularly at higher elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5
    A weak layer buried approximately 70 cm below the surface has the potential to produce large avalanches.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Continued new snow and recent strong southerly winds have maintained the potential for storm snow avalanches, particularly on northerly aspects.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: 10-15 cm new snow, falling as rain below 1600 m. Strong southerly winds.SATURDAY: Mostly dry. Freezing level around 800 m. Moderate southwesterly winds. SUNDAY: Around 10 cm new snow. Freezing level around 1700 m. Strong southerly winds.MONDAY: Around 10 cm new snow. Freezing level around 1600 m. Moderate southwesterly winds.

Avalanche Summary

There were two size 2 natural avalanches observed along the Duffy Lake road on Thursday night on north to west aspects. Explosive control work on Friday produced avalanches up to size 3 on the weak layer of facets buried 70-80 cm below the surface.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 1 m of new snow has fallen in this region since the latest round of storms started last Sunday. Strong southerly winds have distributed new snow into variable wind slabs in exposed locations. A crust at or near the surface likely exists up to approximately 1700 m.Below the recent storm snow lies a weak layer, comprising 20-30 cm of low density faceted snow. Initially, the snow did not bond well to this layer. While it's likely gaining strength, there is concern that slab avalanches remain possible on this layer.Near the base of the snowpack, a crust exists that previously had sugary facets. This could potentially still be of concern in high north facing areas in drier parts of the region. Elsewhere, this layer is no longer a concern.

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