Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 2nd, 2013 8:56AM

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

Avalanche Canada jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Recent snowfall amounts have been highly variable across the region with southern areas receiving the highest accumulations. The posted danger ratings are intended to reflect these areas.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Wind speed and direction is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Cold and mostly clear skies are expected for the forecast period as a dry arctic air mass begins to dominate British Columbia. Alpine temperatures are expected to hover around -16.0 with periods of strong northerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

There is no new avalanche activity to report. This most likely reflects the low number of observations rather than actual conditions.

Snowpack Summary

Snowpack depths vary greatly across the region. There is about 70cm of snow at 1600m in the Duffy Lake area. Due to this weekend's storm there is likely more than double that at the same elevation in the Coquihalla area. Terrain below treeline is reported to be mostly below threshold for avalanche activity.Moderate to locally heavy (in the south) accumulations now overlie a generally well settled snowpack. In exposed terrain this new snow will likely exist as a wind slab, especially with strong northerly winds forecast for the next few days. Closer to the base of the snowpack you may find a few crusts which may have associated facets at higher elevations. Observers are not identifying any of these as cause for concern at this time, although they might be worth exploring.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
A newly formed storm slab may be particularly reactive in wind-affected terrain. Watch for ongoing windslab formation with strong northerly winds forecast for the next few days.
Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 3rd, 2013 2:00PM