Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 28th, 2012–Dec 29th, 2012

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Coast.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Friday night and Saturday: Light snowfall on Friday night with a clearing trend throughout Saturday / Moderate southwest winds associated with Friday's system becoming light and northwesterly on Saturday / Freezing level at 1000mSunday: Clear skies / Light and variable winds / Freezing level at 1000m with the possibility of an inversionMonday: Mostly clear skies / Light southwest winds / Freezing level at 1500m with the possibility of an inversion

Avalanche Summary

Recent glide slab releases to size 2 occurred on smooth south-facing slopes in the Duffey Lake area. Otherwise, no new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Light amounts of new snow mingle with newly formed surface hoar. This surface structure overlies variably wind affected snow. Apart from a couple of strengthening storm snow weaknesses, the snowpack is generally well-settled. Surface hoar layers buried in the upper/mid snowpack appear to be gaining strength but still exhibit hard, sudden results in snowpack tests. Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer appears to be inactive. A thick layer of facets making up the bottom the snowpack was observed on a north aspect near Wendy Thompson Hut in the Duffey Lake area. Although unlikely, triggering an avalanche on a basal weakness may be possible from thin snowpack areas or with a very heavy trigger.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be found behind ridges and ribs. These could be triggered by the weight of a person or snowmobile. Cornices are also fragile.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3