Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 3rd, 2017 3:40PM

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

mgrist, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Don't let your guard down with the sunny weather and fresh snow. Carefully assess the snowpack before venturing into more aggressive terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Fine weather for the foreseeable future. Significant warming begins Tuesday afternoon, with temperatures eventually forecast to hit double digits at mountaintop!!!Monday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Freezing levels around 400 m. Light northwesterly winds.Tuesday: Mainly sunny and becoming warm up high. Freezing levels rising to 2000 m. Light northerly winds.Wednesday: Sunny and warm. Light northerly winds. Freezing levels 3000m. Alpine high temperatures to +11 Celsius!

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. A significant travel hazard on Tuesday may be snow falling off heavily laden trees (aka tree bombs) as the freezing level heads to 3000m and temperatures rise quickly.

Snowpack Summary

Late last week through to Saturday we saw significant storm snow totals, on the order of 80-100cm in the North Shore mountains. That said, all the new snow appears to be bonding well to a crust (down 80-100cm at tree line elevations) and stabilizing rapidly. Travel has improved below tree line, but there are still open creeks, alder and other early season hazards. Expect snow depths of around 60 cm at 800 m and around 200 cm at 1200 m.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Recent snow and wind resulted in slab avalanche conditions in steep and/or exposed terrain. Be careful around broad open slopes and steep terrain, especially where you can feel the November 26th crust with your ski pole.

Avoid steep convex slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 4th, 2017 2:00PM