Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 14th, 2014 8:35AM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeConditions are variable across the region. Dig down and test weak layers. If you're headed to the Duffy, make sure you check the Sea-To-Sky and the Whistler/ Backcomb bulletins too.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Sunny with some clouds later in the day on Monday. The ridge will start to break down Tuesday, allowing a series of weak storm systems which will mostly be confined to the coast and traveling northward. Dribs and drabs of light snow accumulation is expected inland. Freezing levels will hover around 800 m and ridgetop winds will blow from the S-SW.
Avalanche Summary
No new reports of avalanches. Please let us know what you're seeing out there. Submit your observations by clicking on the "Avalanche Information " tab at the top of the page.
Snowpack Summary
Conditions in the Coquihalla area are quite different to the Duffey region. Reports from the Coquihalla suggest there's less than 1 m of snow in most avalanche areas. There's a small amount of recent storm snow over a relatively simple, recently rain-soaked snowpack. With temperatures falling a new firm crust will develop. Around the Duffey, we have limited observations, but it's expected that wind slabs exist and that these may be overloading snowpack weaknesses formed in November (avalanches have been failing on these layers in the Whistler area). Below treeline the snowpack is likely be thin and have a sporty surface crust.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may be found on leeward slopes and behind terrain features. Rider triggers are possible, and if the slab fails on a deeply buried weak layer, a surprisingly large avalanche will initiate.
Dodge recently wind loaded features by sticking to ridge tops and ribs.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 15th, 2014 2:00PM