Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 8th, 2011 9:06AM

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

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Friday: Cloudy with light precipitation increasing overnight. Freezing levels rising to 600m and strong westerly winds becoming moderate southwesterly with the onset of steady precipitation. Saturday: Snowfall tapering off throughout the day with 5-10cm expected by the afternoon. Freezing levels drop back to valley bottoms as winds shift to moderate to strong northerlies. Sunday: Mostly clear and dry with light variable winds.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity has tapered off since the large natural glide and wet avalanche cycle earlier in the week.

Snowpack Summary

Light amounts of new snow has buried large surface hoar sitting on a 5-20cm thick melt freeze crust that extends into alpine elevation in the south, and around 1000m in the north. A strong temperature gradient in the top 30cm is causing faceting below the surface crust. This surface hoar/crust/facet combination could become particularly touchy once a sufficiently deep and cohesive slab forms. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Isolated weak wind slabs may still be lurking below ridge crests, behind terrain features, and in cross-loaded gullies. Especially in the northern part of the region.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 9th, 2011 8:00AM