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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 17th, 2011–Dec 18th, 2011
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
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

Regions: South Columbia.

For more information on the effects of incremental loading, please check out our forecasters blog by clicking the tab at the bottom of the forecast page.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

A cold front is expected to move through the interior on Saturday night. This trailing cold front will follow in the wake of the warm air that we saw on Saturday and is forecast to bring another 10 cm by Sunday morning to the North and West regions of the Monashees and Cariboos. Less snow is forecast for the South and East areas of the Selkirks and Purcells. Freezing levels are expected to fall back to valley bottoms as cold air and moderate to strong Northwest winds move over the interior. Sunday is expected to be mostly dry but probably still overcast. Clearer and colder weather should be across the interior on Monday. The next Pacific system is expected to start moving in from the coast on Tuesday. It is a little early to determine intensity and timing for the next system.

Avalanche Summary

Loose snow sluffing in steep terrain up to size 2.0 has been reported in the region.

Snowpack Summary

A cold front is expected to move through the interior on Saturday night. This trailing cold front will follow in the wake of the warm air that we saw on Saturday and is forecast to bring another 10 cm by Sunday morning to the North and West regions of the Monashees and Cariboos. Less snow is forecast for the South and East areas of the Selkirks and Purcells. Freezing levels are expected to fall back to valley bottoms as cold air and moderate to strong Northwest winds move over the interior. Sunday is expected to be mostly dry but probably still overcast. Clearer and colder weather should be across the interior on Monday. The next Pacific system is expected to start moving in from the coast on Tuesday. It is a little early to determine intensity and timing for the next system.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

These windslabs may be sliding easily on the recently buried surface hoar. Winds are forecast to switch from Southwest to Northwest by Sunday morning. Windslabs may be low down on slopes due to strong winds.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 4

Storm Slabs

The new storm snow may settle into a cohesive slab that could be touchy to human triggers. Cooler temperatures on Sunday should tighten up the moist slab below treeline.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

Variable snow depths may make it possible to trigger a deeper instability on steep, unsupported terrain features. Areas that get more new snow may have enough load to make this layer active again.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 3 - 6