Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 12th, 2013 8:28AM

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

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

Avalanche danger is increasing as the Pacific storm brings snow and wind to the Northern Interior.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Friday: 10-15 cms is forecast overnight as Pacific moisture collides with cooler air over the Interior. Convective snowfalls at times heavy are expected in the North and West of the region. Moderate Southwest winds and freezing levels at valley bottoms.Saturday:Another 10-20 cms as the next strong pulse of Pacific moisture moves inland from the Northwest. Winds increasing to strong from the Southwest. Freezing levels rising quickly to about 1500 metres.Sunday:Snow tapering off to flurries. Winds remaining strong from the West. Freezing levels and temperatures dropping.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Expect avalanche activity to increase with forecast new snow and wind.

Snowpack Summary

Incremental new snowfalls of 10-15 cms continue to add a new storm load above the recently buried combination of wind slabs, crusts, surface hoar, and surface facets. Rising temperatures forecast over the next few days are expected to consolidate the storm slab above these buried weak layers. It may be difficult to determine when the slab will become more sensitive to light triggers like skiers and sledders. These weak layers are expected to be persistent, although in many areas the upper slab is not yet stiff enough for slab avalanches. When temperatures rise, and we get additional snow, expect this interface to become more reactive. The height of snow is below average for most of the region and below minimum recorded levels in many areas.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
The new storm slab is developing as the Pacific moisture is pushed inland from the North Coast. Expect this storm slab to become more reactive when temperatures and freezing levels rise.
Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
The dry cold new snow is slowly adding to the load above this buried weak layer. This layer may become reactive when temperatures and freezing levels rise.
Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Dec 13th, 2013 2:00PM

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