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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 3rd, 2015–Dec 4th, 2015

Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Purcells.

The game may change quickly as new snow buries a super-touchy weak layer. If storm totals get to around 20 cm, it will be time to reel in your terrain exposure.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

A series of storms is pushing onto the coast in quick succession over the next few days, with a little spill over into the Purcells. Disagreement between weather forecast models is making it hard to pin down specifics, but you can expect mainly light snow, south to south-west winds and freezing levels rising to around 1500 m. For more details check out https://avalanche.ca/weather.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Recent light snow is building up over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that may become super-reactive with enough new snow load. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists up to about 1800 m and the crust maybe found on all aspects. I certainly wouldn't rule out the possibility of weak interfaces (especially crusts) at higher elevations. Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November seem to be inactive. In the highest and shadiest spots, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground, but is not generally considered a major concern at this time.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.