Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 4th, 2014 8:12AM

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

Peter, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Moist and mild weather is finally returning but it looks as though the Northwest will be the last region to see the transition. Conditions should start to change significantly by early next week.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Friday: Increasing cloud with snow likely later in the day (5-10 cm by Saturday morning). The freezing level remains near valley bottom. Winds should be moderate (20-30 km/h) from the S-SE. Saturday: Cloudy with flurries. The freezing level starts to slowly climb to around 500 m and ridge winds are moderate from the SW. Sunday: Cloudy with a chance of flurries. The freezing level is around 500 m but we could see an inversion form (warmer as you go up). Winds remain moderate from the SW.

Avalanche Summary

There are no new avalanche reports from the region. Please let us know what you're seeing out there. Email us at forecaster@avalanche.ca.

Snowpack Summary

We are still working with very few field observations from this region. This forecast is primarily based off weather station data and a few field observations.Recent reports describe a shallow, highly variable, and wind affected snowpack with an average snow depth of 60 to 100 cm. In sheltered areas you might find 20-30 cm of dry facetted snow sitting on a crust at treeline, and 30 cm above the crust in the alpine. Extensive wind effect has either scoured down to the crust or created pockets of wind slab in open terrain in the alpine and at treeline.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Old hard wind slabs might be lurking on west facing slopes and new ones may form in north-east facing slopes this week. Be cautious in areas that may have been cross-loaded (gullies or rib features).

Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 5th, 2014 2:00PM