Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 8th, 2014 8:00AM

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

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Warm, wet and windy weather is expected to result in natural avalanche activity and increased danger.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

On Tuesday freezing levels are expected to rise as high as 2500 m as a Pacific frontal system brings up to 50 mm of precipitation and extreme southwesterly alpine winds. Wednesday is looking just as warm, windy, and wet. At this point, Thursday is looking slightly drier and cooler with freezing levels dropping below 2000 m and another 10-20 mm of precipitation as alpine winds shift to moderate southeasterlies.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of avalanches. Please let us know what you're seeing out there at forecaster@avalanche.ca.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10-15 cm of moist then refrozen snow buried the previous variable snow surface that consisted of facets and large surface hoar in sheltered areas, or pockets of old wind slab and an ice crust in open wind-exposed terrain (depending on aspect). There are probably a couple notable crusts in the upper to mid snowpack. The deeper crust may be associated with a weak layer of facetted snow, but may be limited to slopes at and above treeline. One recent snowpack test on this layer in the northwest part of the region produced a sudden "pops" result down 80 cm on a north aspect at treeline. Snow pack depth and snow quality drastically diminishes as you drop below treeline.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Heavy snow at alpine elevations is expected to form dense storm slabs and overload existing weaknesses. Very strong southerly winds may also create deep wind slabs in Northwest-Northeast facing terrain well below ridge crests.

Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.>Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and avoid wind loaded slopes near ridge crests.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Watch for loose wet sluffs in steep open terrain and in gullies.

Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 9th, 2014 2:00PM