Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 15th, 2014–Dec 16th, 2014

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

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

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.

Conditions are variable across the region. Dig down and test weak layers. If you're headed to the Duffy, make sure you check the Sea-To-Sky bulletin as well.

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 1000m for the forecast period.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of avalanches. Please let us know what you're seeing out there. Submit your observations by clicking on the "Avalanche Information " tab at the top of the page.

Snowpack Summary

Conditions in the Coquihalla area are quite different to the Duffey/Hurley regions. Reports from the Coquihalla suggest there's less than 1 m of snow in most avalanche areas. There's a small amount of recent storm snow over a relatively simple, recently rain-soaked snowpack. With temperatures falling a new firm crust will develop. In the north, we have limited observations, but it's expected that wind slabs exist and that these may be overloading snowpack weaknesses formed in November (avalanches have been failing on these layers in the Whistler area). Below treeline the snowpack is likely thin and refrozen.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent weak crystals which formed in November are potentially destructive, and are a bigger issue in the north of the region. Use extra caution in steep, unsupported alpine terrain.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4