Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Dec 15 – 16, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Wind slabs have developed recently on a variety of aspects due to shifting winds. Expect to encounter these deep deposits of wind-transported snow below ridge crests and behind terrain features.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Sugary facets at or near the base of the snowpack are most likely triggered on steep, convex slopes with a thin snowpack. In deeper snowpack areas you may find a stubborn buried surface hoar layer.

Weather Forecast

Strong west to northwesterly zonal flow continues for the southern interior on Monday and Tuesday. On Tuesday, a low pressure system will move onto the central coast. The system will likely track to the north of the region on Wednesday but light precipitation and the breakdown of the warm air is expected.Monday: A mix of sun and cloud, freezing levels around 2000m, moderate westerly alpine windsTuesday: A mix of sun and cloud, freezing levels as high as 2300m, moderate westerly alpine windsWednesday: Mostly cloudy, light precipitation, freezing levels dropping to valley bottom, alpine winds decreasing

Avalanche Summary

No natural avalanche activity reported since Thursday. On Saturday, some human-triggered activity was reported in the Fernie area (see Lizard Range forecast).

Snowpack Summary

Recent incremental snowfall has started to bury the mid-Dec surface hoar and the previously faceted upper snowpack. Snowpack depths at treeline seem to vary from 50 - 110 cm with high variability in wind-exposed areas. Buried surface hoar/facets/crust (late-Nov interface) are down approximately 30-40cm. Recent snowpack testing on this persistent weakness gave easy results and some whumpfing. The base of the snowpack is made up of weak facets and depth hoar. This deep persistent weakness may be stubborn to trigger, especially in deeper snowpack areas, but the sensitivity to triggers likely increases in shallower locations, especially on a steep, convex slopes. In some below treeline areas the snowpack is below threshold and early season hazards like open creeks and stumps remain a concern.

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