Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 29th, 2018 3:52PM

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

Avalanche Canada mbender, Avalanche Canada

Avalanche danger will gradually decrease as a result of a clearing and cooling trend in the coming days.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries and clear periods  / Moderate northwest wind / Alpine temperature -3 C / freezing level 500mSUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks / Moderate northwest wind / Alpine temperature -1 C / Freezing level 800 mMONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -3 C / Freezing level 500mTUESDAY: Mainly Cloudy / Light west wind / Alpine Temperature -2 / Freezing level 700 m

Avalanche Summary

Expect avalanche activity to taper in the next few days as the temperature begins to cool off and the storm snow begins to slowly bond.

Snowpack Summary

The latest storm Friday night and Saturday was quite warm where it rained to the 1500 m elevation and perhaps above. This has resulted in moist or wet surface snow.At the highest elevations, an additional 40-60 cm of recent snow may not be bonding well to underlying surfaces. This is particularly the case in the north of the region near Squamish, where the snow may be sitting on a weak layer of feathery surface hoar. Deeper, about 60-90 cm of recent snow sits on a thick melt-freeze crust. Reports indicate that the snow is bonding well to the crust.The middle and lower snowpack are well-settled. Snow depths increase substantially with higher elevations. Expect to find about 200 cm at treeline elevations.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Recent snow at upper elevations has been redistributed by southerly winds into alpine and treeline lee terrain.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.New snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 30th, 2018 2:00PM

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