Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 1st, 2013 8:17AM

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

bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Little data is available for this region. If you are in the backcountry, do some detective work to see where the weak layers may be. CAC forecasters are always looking for input ! Forecaster@avalanche.ca

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Cold arctic air and sunny skies have moved into the region and will remain for most of the week. No precipitation is forecast until later in the week, perhaps Thursday or Friday. Cold outflow winds will bring the freezing level down to the valley bottoms with unseasonably cool temperatures for the region. Temperatures in the alpine may drop to -18c.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches reported yet, however, expect activity on wind slabs that have developed during the storm.

Snowpack Summary

Precipitation with high winds has produced wind slabs on east and north east lee slopes at tree line and above.. Rain at lower elevations has saturated the lower snowpack below tree line. Early season reports indicated a poorly-bonded layer 40 cm from the surface and a crust/facet layer near the ground. These layers may be gaining strength, but could become quite reactive with the new snow loading.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recently loaded lee slopes may be particularly touchy. If triggered they have potential to initiate a larger avalanche on a crust/facet layer buried deep in the snowpack.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid North-East slopes at or above treeline.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 2nd, 2013 2:00PM