Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 15th, 2014 7:56AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

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Summary

Confidence

Poor - 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 500m for the forecast period.

Avalanche Summary

There are no new avalanche reports from the region.

Snowpack Summary

Recent heavy rain affected southern parts of the region up to alpine elevations, while the far north remained drier and sports a weaker snowpack in general. Areas which previously received rain have probably now formed a hard frozen crust. High alpine and far northern areas are likely to have wind slabs and large fragile cornices. Deeper in the snowpack, weaknesses such as the mid-November crust-facet layer are still of concern to some operators

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be found behind terrain breaks like ridges and ribs. In certain areas, a slab could fail on a deeply buried weakness, creating a surprisingly large avalanche.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid wind loaded and cross loaded slopes.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 16th, 2014 2:00PM