Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 21st, 2015 8:11AM

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

esharp, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Pockets of thin wind slab may be found in the alpine and at tree-line.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

We're into a period of fairly benign weather. Isolated flurries are expected through the forecast period although we wonâ€™t see any significant accumulations of new snow. Â Winds look to be variable, coming from the west on Tuesday before becoming south easterly on Wednesday and Thursday.Â Â Freezing levels are expected to remain at, or close to valley bottom for inland regions through the forecast period.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported over the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

We're still dealing with a thin, early-season snow pack for much of the Northwest Inland region. Between 80 and 100 cm of snow can be found at tree-line in the south and west of the region, with closer to 60 cm in the east. Stiff wind slabs have been reported above tree-line in lee features resulting from variable recent winds. These winds have been mainly out of the northeast in areas under the influence of cold arctic air, and out of the south or southeast when the snowstorms have moved inland from the coast. A layer of surface hoar may exist just below the surface in isolated sheltered areas and may be hard to find. A weak basal layer may exist in areas with a shallow snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Thin fresh winds labs may exist at higher elevations.

Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 22nd, 2015 2:00PM