Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 23rd, 2015 7:53AM

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

Avalanche Canada esharp, Avalanche Canada

The forecasted snowfall amounts are highly variable across the region. Avalanche danger may be Considerable in alpine areas that receive more than 20 cm of new snow by midday Thursday.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowfall will continue overnight in the south of the region petering out by Thursday mid-morning. The Coquihalla Summit and Duffey could receive as much as 20 cm although forecast amounts taper off sharply further inland. Friday and Saturday look to be mainly dry. An artic front just inland stretches almost all the way down the coast and will keep freezing levels below 500m. Winds will be light and variable Thursday before building to moderate south-westerlies by Saturday as a powerful storm is forecast to slide down the BC coast.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity appears to have tapered off.

Snowpack Summary

Between 30 to 50 cm of recent storm snow continues to settle into a soft slab. Variable winds have stripped snow from exposed south facing terrain and formed fresh winds slabs at tree-line and above. The new snow may be sitting on a sun-crust on steep solar aspects in the Coquihalla. At lower elevations you may be able to find a layer of surface hoar layer that was reported to be buried on December 17th although some reports indicate that this layer is starting to bread down.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
In areas that receive close to the upper end of the forecast snowfall amounts fresh storm slabs will develop through the day. Old wind slabs may still be reactive in lee features on east through northwest aspects.
Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and at tree-line. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.>Avoid steep, open slopes.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 24th, 2015 2:00PM