Avalog Join
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 15th, 2013–Dec 16th, 2013
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
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
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday: Light snowfall / Moderate westerly winds (with extreme gusts) / Freezing level at 800mTuesday: Light snowfall / Moderate southwesterly winds (with extreme gusts) / Freezing level at 800mWednesday: Possible clearing / Light winds / Freezing level at valley bottom

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

Snowpack depths vary greatly across the region, but are significantly lower than average for this time of year. Terrain below treeline is still mostly below threshold for avalanche activity. Due to strong to extreme southwest winds on Sunday pockets of touchy windslab likely exist at upper elevations. Due to rising freezing levels, surfaces are reportedly moist below 1750m. Roughly 20-30cm of snow now overlies a variety of old surfaces which formed during the early December cold snap. These surfaces include: generally faceted surfaces (which may overlie a crust in some areas), spotty surface hoar in sheltered terrain and hard windslab on south-facing alpine terrain. Thin snowpack areas, particularly around rocks, are reported to be highly faceted.The lower snowpack is generally well consolidated.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Continued strong southwesterly winds and light snowfall will likely create small wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. Watch for triggering in gullies, behind ridge crests and over sharp rolls.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2