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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 27th, 2012–Dec 28th, 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
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Coast.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Friday: Light SW winds. Freezing level near 600 m. Light snow.Saturday: Light NW winds. Freezing level near 600 m. Light snow.Sunday: Light winds. Freezing level at valley bottom. Cloudy.

Avalanche Summary

Several glide avalanches up to size 2 have been observed around the Duffey Lake highway on smooth south-facing slopes. This type of avalanche is usually preceded by a crack opening up on the slope, so avoiding them should be straight-forward. Just don’t linger on or under slopes sporting glide cracks. No other avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Recently, wind slabs have developed lee to both SE and down-valley winds. 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. 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.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3