Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 27th, 2014 7:12AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Watch for wind slabs lurking in unusual places as the wind shifts direction.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Cold and clear with strong outflowing N-NE winds.

Avalanche Summary

Over the last three days we've had reports of naturally and skier-triggered size 1-2 slabs, mostly wind slabs on lee slopes at treeline and above. Explosive control on Wednesday produced storm slab and wind slabs up to size 2.5.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30cm new snow from Friday night may have buried old wind slabs. New wind slabs are likely to form on south to west-facing slopes as we shift into an outflow wind pattern. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well-settled. Several old crust layers exist but these appear to be well bonded.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds are expected to shift recent snow into slabs behind terrain breaks like ridges and ribs.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain not affected by the wind.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 28th, 2014 2:00PM