Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 22nd, 2015 8:04AM

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

esharp, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Tomorrow's storm will be most intense in more coastal areas. Avalanches will be less likely in the north of the region were less snow is forecast to fall.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

A low over Washington will bring snow, mainly to the southern half of the region on Wednesday and overnight into Thursday.Â Garibaldi could receive as much as 20cm although forecast amounts taper off sharply to the north with only around 5cm expected for Pemberton. Isolated flurries are expected on Thursday while Friday looks to be dry. Â Â An artic front just inland stretches almost all the way down the coast and will keep freezing levels below 500m. Winds will be light and variable Tuesday and Wednesday before becoming moderate westerlies by Friday.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity appears to have tapered off since the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Between 40 and 70 cm of new snow fell in the weekend's storms. The new snow is now settling and gaining strength and may be forming variable soft slabs. Wind slabs can be found in immediate lee features on north to northeast aspects at tree-line and in the alpine. The December 8th crust is down about 120 cm and is reported to be well bonded to the snow above it.

Problems

Storm Slabs

The forecast storm snow amounts are highly variable across the region. Fresh storm slabs are most likely to develop later in the day south of Whistler. The new snow may be hiding old wind slabs at tree-line and in the alpine.

Use terrain features such as ridges and ribs to avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2015 2:00PM