Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 21st, 2016 4:44PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

As this past week's storm snow continues to settle it will still be important to evaluate the bond between the old snow surface and the new snow. There is still potential for a week sliding layer in isolated sheltered areas.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Flurries, accumulation 5-10cm / Moderate south wind / Alpine temperature 1 Friday: Mainly cloudy / Light northeast wind / Alpine temperature -1Saturday: Sunny with cloudy periods/ Light north wind / Alpine temperature -4

Avalanche Summary

There are no new recent reports of avalanche activity, however I would suspect there to be still some potential for skier and rider triggering with the some additional new snow, strong winds at upper elevations and a possible weak bond at the storm/old snow interface in isolated areas.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 70cm moist or wet new snow overlies the variable old snow surface from late last week, which includes well settled snow on southerly aspects, loose snow on shaded aspects, isolated pockets of surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep southerly aspects. With the potential for buried surface hoar means storm snow weaknesses from this latest snowfall will take longer than normal to stabilize. An old rain crust is reported to be down 170 cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer is strengthening in snowpack tests and is likely difficult to trigger in most places now.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Additional new snow combined with moderate winds have created new wind slabs in the lee of terrain features

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 22nd, 2016 2:00PM