Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 8th, 2013 7:38AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Peter,
Avalanche Canada
Summary
Confidence
Poor - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Monday: Mainly cloudy with light snow developing – around 5 cm. Freezing level remains at valley bottom and winds are moderate to strong from the Northwest. Tuesday: Cloudy with light to moderate snow – 5-10 cm. Freezing level remains at valley bottom but temperatures are starting to moderate. Winds should be light to moderate from the W-NW.Wednesday: The flow finally changes to southwesterly bringing a pacific frontal system to the region with moderate precipitation and milder temperatures.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been reported; however, reports are limited.
Snowpack Summary
Snowpack depths are likely highly variable across the region, with elevation, and in wind-exposed areas. Low-elevation and wind-affected areas likely have a shallow faceted snowpack. While in higher elevation sheltered areas the recent storm snow is likely settling and gaining strength; however, weaknesses at the old snow interface down approximately 40cm may still need time to heal. In the Ashman Ridge area on Sunday, this interface gave easy compression test results. Northerly outflow winds are likely forming fresh wind slabs in exposed lee terrain and scouring windward terrain. Average snowpack depths near treeline are highly variable, but around a metre in sheltered areas.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New soft wind slabs could develop in exposed lee terrain if we see a few cm's of light snow fall with moderate northwesterly winds. Old dense or hard slabs are also lurking on a variety of aspects.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Avoid traveling in areas that have been reverse-loaded or cross-loaded by winds.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 9th, 2013 2:00PM
