Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 2nd, 2015 7:49AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

New snow and wind are developing new storm slabs. Expect avalanche danger to increase in areas that have enough snow to slide.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

A series of Pacific storms are forecast to continue to produce 5-10 cm overnight at treeline, and another 5-10 during the day on Thursday. Cooler and drier air is expected to move down from the north on Friday, some convective flurries may result in a few cms of new snow at all elevations. The models are not in good agreement for Saturday, at this time only a few cms are forecast to make it inland in the north.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported. Thin new storm slabs are expected to develop with forecast snow and wind.

Snowpack Summary

In general, the early season snowpack is shallow and weak. Developing storm slabs are sitting on a mix of crusts and weak facetted crystals or surface hoar in some parts of the region. The southwest of the region sounds like it has the most snow, and probably the most wind with the new snow. We have some reports of a weak facetted base layer in the north of the region where recent temperatures were quite cold during the arctic outbreak. If you get out into the mountains, please submit your observations using the Mountain Information Network.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs are developing with each pulse of wind and snow that moves across the region. Areas with enough snow to ride, may be the most likely place for developing storm slabs.

Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 3rd, 2015 2:00PM