Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Dec 9, 2018Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Snow is finally coming! Some parts of the region could see rapid loading on Sunday, so be prepared to dial back your terrain choices.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Reactive wind slabs will develop with the incoming snow and wind. Some areas near the coast could receive upwards of 30 cm, making slab avalanches very likely.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Storm arriving overnight bringing 5 cm of snow by the morning (with a fair bit more possible near the coast), strong wind out of the south, freezing level climbing to 1000 m.SUNDAY: Another 5-20 cm of snow throughout the day, strong wind out of the south, freezing level climbing to 1200 m.MONDAY: Flurries with another 5-10 cm of snow, moderate to strong wind out of the southwest, freezing level around 800 m.TUESDAY: The next storm arrives with 20-40 cm of snow, extreme wind out of the southwest, and freezing level up to 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported. Please post your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN) this weekend.

Snowpack Summary

New snow will accumulate as a series of storms bring much needed snow to the region. With strong winds in the forecast expect thicker wind deposits at high elevations. The new snow will likely bond poorly to the feathery surface hoar crystals and soft sugary snow that have been sitting on the surface for the past week.Deeper in the snowpack, there are reports of several crusts including an early season crust with facets near the bottom of the snowpack.We currently have limited snowpack observations, but expect snow depths ranging from 70-120 cm in the alpine. This decreases dramatically with elevation where the primary hazards are rocks, stumps, and open creeks.

Regions covered