Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 4th, 2015 7:50AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

If you get out into the mountains this weekend, please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

The freezing level should remain at or near valley bottoms overnight and during the day Saturday. Expect 3-5 cm during the day Saturday and another 3-5 overnight for Sunday morning. Winds should increase to strong southwest during the overnight snowfall and freezing levels are expected to rise up to 1200 metres. Light snow or rain should continue on Sunday and Monday. The freezing level may drop back to valley bottoms on Sunday night.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported. Thin new storm slabs are expected to develop with forecast snow and wind.

Snowpack Summary

In general, the early season snowpack is shallow and weak. Developing storm slabs are sitting on a mix of crusts and weak facetted crystals or surface hoar in some parts of the region. The southwest of the region sounds like it has the most snow, and probably the most wind with the new snow. We have some reports of a weak facetted base layer in the north of the region where recent temperatures were quite cold during the arctic outbreak. If you get out into the mountains, please submit your observations using the Mountain Information Network.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Thin new storm slabs continue to develop as Maritime systems weaken across the inland ranges.

Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 5th, 2015 2:00PM