Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 22nd, 2013 8:07AM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSummary
Confidence
Good - Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday
Weather Forecast
Synopsis: A cold front will push over the Southern Interior Monday bringing light precipitation before the region sees a return to a drier northwesterly flow through the rest forecast period.Tonight and Monday: Snow starting overnight and continuing into Monday will bring accumulations of between 7-15 cm. Winds will be moderate to strong NW at ridgetop. The freezing level is forecast to be 700 m.Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Ridgetop winds be light from the west. Freezing levels dropping through the day to valley bottom.Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods. A temperature inversion is likely with an above freezing layer above 1900m.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous loose dry natural sluffing up to size 1 from steeper terrain features. Small pockets of wind slab are easily rider triggered/
Snowpack Summary
Recent light snowfall and strong westerly have winds formed pockets of soft wind slab on lee slopes and scoured windward slopes in exposed terrain. Loose dry surface sluffing is likely on most steeper slopes and terrain features. Two layers of surface hoar can be found buried in the upper snowpack but are currently not deep enough to be a concern.A little deeper (between 35 - 50 cm below the surface) you may find a weak layer of surface hoar on sheltered slopes or a crust/facet combo on steep solar aspects. Most reports indicate either that this layer is "stubborn" to trigger, or that there is not a deep enough overlying slab to create a significant hazard. That said I'd recommend keeping it on the radar, especially as the snow load above gradually increases.In general, snowpack depths are below seasonal average with many slopes below treeline still reported to be below threshold for avalanche activity. Deeper snow is likely in the northern part of the region.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2013 2:00PM