Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 15th, 2014 8:05AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Click the Avalanche Information tab at the top of the page and share your backcountry observations!

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

A weak system will spread light snowfall and moderate southwest winds to the region on Tuesday. On Wednesday expect a mix of sun and cloud and light ridgetop winds. By late Thursday a more intense frontal system should impact the region bringing steady snowfall. Freezing levels should hover around 500m for the forecast period.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed.

Snowpack Summary

Recent heavy rain affected southern parts of the region up to alpine elevations, while the far north remained drier and sports a weaker snowpack in general. Areas which previously received rain have probably now formed a hard frozen crust. High alpine and far northern areas are likely to have wind slabs and large fragile cornices. Deeper in the snowpack, weaknesses such as the mid-November crust-facet layer are still of concern to some operators.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are likely to exist on a variety of aspects. Wind slabs could fail on a deeply buried crust layer, initiating a surprisingly large avalanche. Rider triggering is possible.

Stay away from steep slopes below cornices.>Avoid recently wind loaded slopes by sticking to ridge crests or ribs. >Caution around convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Dec 16th, 2014 2:00PM