Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 23rd, 2018 3:44PM

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

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

The weekend's storm brought substantial snowfall to the region. The snow will likely need a bit more time to bond to an underlying crust.

Summary

Confidence

High.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, freezing level 1000 m. MONDAY: Mostly cloudy with trace snowfall, light south winds, treeline temperature -2Â°c, freezing level 1000 m. TUESDAY: Sunny with afternoon clouds, light northwest winds, treeline temperature -3Â°c, freezing level 600 m. WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, light to moderate southwest winds, treeline temperature -2Â°c, freezing level 500 m.

Avalanche Summary

Reports indicate that the storm snow was reactive to skier traffic on Saturday and Sunday during the storm. Skiers were able to initiate loose dry and storm slab avalanches. Small loose dry avalanches were also capable of triggering storm slab avalanches, which ran far. The likelihood of triggering this storm snow should decrease for Monday, as a clearing trend prevails.

Snowpack Summary

Upwards of 60 cm of snow accumulated on Sunday. This snow fell on a melt-freeze crust that was formed during Thursday's storm. Reports indicate that the snow is bonding well to the crust in certain areas but that the storm snow can slide on the crust in other areas. Expect the deepest deposits in lee terrain features around treeline and alpine elevations.

Problems

Storm Slabs

40 to 60 cm of snow accumulated in the region on the weekend. Observe for the bond of the new snow to an underlying crust before committing to larger or steeper terrain features.

Cornices are large and unstable. Give cornices a wide berth.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Avoid travel near cliffs or gullies, where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 24th, 2018 2:00PM