Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 1st, 2018 4:30PM

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

cgarritty, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

Rugged travel conditions dominate lower elevations while lingering wind slab and cornice problems show that winter is on in the alpine.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Mainly cloudy with clear periods. Light northeast winds.Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light northeast winds. Alpine high temperatures of -9.Monday: Mainly sunny. Light northeast winds. Alpine high temperatures of -11.Tuesday: Mainly sunny. Light north winds. Alpine high temperatures rising to -4 as a temperature inversion establishes.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported. Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.

Snowpack Summary

The storm from early last week produced ample precipitation, however it mostly fell as rain. Extreme out of the south and southwest likely produced widespread cornices and wind slabs in lee terrain during the storm.A MIN from Friday suggests that it's skiable from about 1600 metres on up. Between 1600 and 2000 m there is 5 to 10 cm of low density snow over a 5 cm breakable crust. Above 2000m is reportedly skiing well and alpine snowpack depths are approaching 175 cm. Near the ground there is a crust/facet interface, but little is known about the reactivity of this layer. It is thought that there is insufficient snow for avalanches below 1500 m.

Problems

Cornices

Cornices have likely formed along alpine ridgelines. Cornices are typically most prone to failure during times of transition. Now is one of those times as we enter a colder period.

Stay well back from cornices when traveling on ridgelines.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.Be wary of traveling on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

If there's any good riding/travel to be had, it's going to be in the alpine. This is also where you're most likely to find pockets of wind slab that may remain sensitive to human triggering.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.The deepest slabs will be found immediately lee of ridge-crest.Be cautious around mid-slope terrain features like ridges and ribs where slabs may be deeper.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 2nd, 2018 2:00PM