Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 2nd, 2015 8:16AM

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

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

The next storm is forecast to move into the region tonight. New snow and wind will result in HIGH avalanche danger.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

The next pulse in a series of Pacific storms is expected to push into the region this evening and continue to produce moderate precipitation during the day on Thursday. Friday should be a bit of a break between storms, but still overcast with convective periods producing flurries. Cooler air is forecast to start moving down from the north on Friday bringing the freezing level down to valley bottoms. At this time the Saturday system does not look like it will produce much precipitation in the north, stay tuned as we watch the models evolve.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. I suspect that new storm slabs are developing and may be easily triggered by light additional loads.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is highly variable across different aspects and elevations. So far, we only have limited information from the field. Initial reports suggest that there is around 150 cm at 2000 m. Recent winds have scoured exposed slopes, and left variable wind slabs and crusts. In some places, a crust/facet interface or surface hoar can be found in the upper snowpack. At high elevations, a crust which formed early season may exist near the base of the snowpack. The new storm snow may not bond well to the mix of old surfaces left behind after the recent high pressure. Buried surface hoar may be found below the new storm snow at lower elevations, or in areas where the recent temperature inversion was not strong enough to melt it.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
New storm slabs continue to develop with each pulse of moisture and wind that moves across the region.
Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 3rd, 2015 2:00PM