Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 23rd, 2015–Dec 24th, 2015

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Coast.

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.

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.

Avalanche Problems

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