Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 21st, 2012 9:43AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Light snowfall / Light southeast winds / Freezing level at surfaceSunday: Trace amounts of new snow / Moderate southeast winds / Freezing level at surfaceMonday: Trace amounts of new snow / Light south winds / Freezing level at 700m

Avalanche Summary

In the wake of Wednesday night's storm, reactive storm slabs to size 2 were reported. Some reports suggest that avalanche activity was more specific to wind affected slopes.

Snowpack Summary

The region has seen a daily supply of light to moderate (with some locally heavy) snow accumulations over the past week. In exposed areas, the new snow most likely exists as a windslab.A layer of surface hoar buried on Dec 10 exists at treeline in the Duffey Lake area and may be more widespread.Â A bit deeper in the mid snowpack you might find a surface hoar layer from late November; however, tests seem to be showing limited reactivity on this layer. A generally consolidated mid-pack overlies the deeply buried November crust/facet layer which does not seem to have been reactive lately. This layer has not been observed in the Coquihalla area.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Moderate winds are likely to redistribute surface snow and promote ongoing instabilities in the upper snowpack. Be alert for wind slabs behind ridgecrests and ribs, and soft slabs or sluffs on steep terrain sheltered from the wind.

The new snow may require several days to settle and stabilize.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 22nd, 2012 2:00PM