Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 7th, 2017–Dec 8th, 2017

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

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

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

Regions: South Columbia.

Seek the shade for the best and safest riding.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: Sunny and warm above valley cloud. Light wind. Freezing level near 3000 m with a colder air layer in the valleys.SATURDAY: Sunny and warm above valley cloud. Light wind. Freezing level near 3000 m with a colder air layer in the valleys.SUNDAY: Cloudy. Light to moderate south-west winds. Freezing level near 2900 m. More details can be found on the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

On the whole, there has been little recent avalanche activity reported, but a natural avalanche cycle is expected to be underway on steep sunny slopes. A size 3 slab failed at ground near Revelstoke on a sunny aspect at treeline recently. Check out the report here. On Tuesday, a size 3 natural avalanche was reported on a steep north-facing alpine face in the Selkirks. The failure layer is unknown, but it was likely an early season crust.

Snowpack Summary

Intense warming will melt and weaken upper snowpack layers, particularly on steep sunny slopes. Isolated wind slabs may be found behind ridges and ribs. Warming also has the potential to wake up more deeply buried crust layers which formed during November's rainfall. On the whole, these crusts have been showing reasonable bonding in snowpack and slope tests. There has been the odd isolated exception, and a cautious approach is a good idea while temperatures are skyrocketing. Below treeline, the snowpack is shallow--look out for early season hazards like open creeks and tree stumps.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches are likely in steep, rocky, sunny terrain. Warming could also wake up more deeply buried weak layers.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Use caution above ledges and cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3