Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 21st, 2015 8:35AM

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

esharp, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Wind slabs are forming at upper elevations. The lowest avalanche danger and best riding conditions can be found in sheltered terrain although a layer of surface hoar may be lurking at tree-line and below

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

A weak storm is expected to hit the south coast on Tuesday although only a couple of centimeters will spill over into the South Coast Inland bringing light snowfall by Wednesday morning.Â This is followed by a drying trend with only isolated flurries expected for the region through the rest of the forecast period.Â Winds will be light from the southwest and freezing levels are expected to remain at or close to valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

There were reports of some large natural and explosive controlled storm slab avalanches north of Pemberton on Sunday.Â People were also able to find reactive pockets of wind slab in the Coquihalla at upper elevations over the weekend

Snowpack Summary

Between 30 and 50 cm of new cool, dry snow fell in the storm over the weekend, although this is probably closer to 15cm in the north of the region. This snow is now settling into a soft slab.Â Moderate southwest winds have formed fresh winds slabs on north through north facing terrain as well as weak new cornices at higher elevations across the region. There is now 20-40 cm above the surface hoar layer that was reported to be buried on December 17th. Â There may also be a thin sun crust on south aspects in the Coquihalla beneath the recent storm snow.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Moderate southwest through southeast winds will have loaded lee features at tree-line and in the alpine. The new snow may be sitting on surface hoar in sheltered areas.

Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 22nd, 2015 2:00PM