Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 3rd, 2011 8:52AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Freezing levels are uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Freezing levels are forecast to rise on Sunday afternoon and may reach 3000 metres by Monday. Cooler temperatures should follow by Tuesday. There is a chance of some flurries overnight Monday into Tuesday morning.

Avalanche Summary

Large natural avalanches up to size 3.0 have been reported from the Bear Pass and the coastal mountains near Terrace. There are no reports of human triggered avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Very strong SW-NW winds may wreak havoc on the snowpack creating scoured areas and soft or hard wind slabs in exposed lee terrain and cross-loaded gullies or terrain features. Coastal areas are reporting a very deep and strong snowpack which is at or near record levels for this time of year. A buried surface hoar layer may be found down 100-150cm near Terrace, but there is no recent information on the presence and sensitivity of this layer.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Hard and soft wind slabs are likely in exposed terrain on a variety of aspects well into treeline.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Storm Slabs

Storm snow instabilities may be triggered by a skier or snowmobile, or by additional loading from snow or wind.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Dec 4th, 2011 8:00AM