Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 28th, 2013–Dec 29th, 2013

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: The current pattern seems to be stuck on repeat. NW flow dominates with very little action in store for the South Coast for the foreseeable future. Sunday: Freezing Level: 800m Precip: 1/2mm Wind: Light, NW.Monday: Freezing Level: 1200m Precip: 1/2mm Wind: Mod SW Tuesday: Freezing Level: 750m Precip: 2/4mm Wind: Mod NW

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity on Friday was limited to small storm & wind slabs on lee aspects.

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations light to locally moderate amounts of recent snow have been shifted into pockets of stiff windslab by strong southwest winds. Below treeline, rain has saturated snow surfaces. Roughly 25-50cm below the surface you may find a variety of old surfaces which formed during the early December cold snap. These surfaces include sugary faceted snow (which may overlie a crust in some areas) and spotty surface hoar in sheltered terrain. In most places the overlying slab seems to be well bonded to this interface thanks to ongoing moderate temperatures.Snowpack depths vary greatly across the region, but are significantly lower than average for this time of year. Terrain below treeline is still mostly below threshold for avalanche activity. Early season riding hazards such as rocks, stumps and logs are lurking below the surface in many areas. In glaciated terrain new snow on the surface might be just enough to hide open crevasses where supportive snow bridges have not yet developed.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs formed on Friday are likely growing old and tired, but they may still be sensitive to human triggering on steep slopes immediately lee of ridge crests and on convex features.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2