Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 26th, 2012 8:55AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Overcast with very light precipitation. Light winds. Freezing level near 600 m.Friday: Light SW winds. Freezing level near 600 m. Light snow.Saturday: Mainly dry with light NW winds.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported over the last couple of days.

Snowpack Summary

New wind slabs have developed lee to both SE and down-valley winds. Apart from a couple of strengthening storm snow weaknesses, the snowpack is generally well-settled. Surface hoar layers in the upper/mid snowpack appear to be gaining strength but still exhibit hard, sudden results in snowpack tests. Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer appears to be inactive. A thick layer of facets making up the bottom the snowpack was observed on a north aspect near Wendy Thompson Hut. Although unlikely, triggering an avalanche on a basal weakness may be possible from thin snowpack areas or with a very heavy trigger.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds have shifted available snow into slabs behind ridges and ribs. These could be triggered by the weight of a person or snowmobile. Cornices are also fragile.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 27th, 2012 2:00PM