Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 4th, 2014–Dec 5th, 2014

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

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

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

Regions: 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.

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 [email protected].

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.

Avalanche 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