Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 24th, 2017 4:47PM

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

jmcbride, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

It might not be much but it's better than a lump of coal! Looks like Santa's set to bring a dusting of new snow for Christmas morning. There may still be some lingering wind slabs to watch for, as well as more snow later in the week.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Light dusting (2-5 cm) of snow expected overnight Sunday and early Monday morning.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind light from the northwest. Temperature -9. Freezing level surface.TUESDAY: Mostly sunny. Ridge wind light from the southwest. Temperature -10. Freezing level surface.WEDNESDAY: Cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind light to moderate from the west. Temperature -9. Freezing level surface.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no new reports of avalanches since last Wednesday when southern areas saw numerous loose dry to Size 1.5, as well as slab and glide avalanches to Size 2 on steep, leeward terrain and smooth rock slabs, while the northern part of the region reported wind slab activity up to size 2 on north and west aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm snow has been redistributed by moderate to strong northerly winds in the alpine and exposed treeline areas, creating wind slabs in some areas and scouring others. The southern part of the region has seen impressive storm snow totals (80-100cm) since Sunday night, compared to northern areas of the region, which received 25-35cm. This new snow sits on crusts of variable thickness that formed on almost all aspects in mid-December (December 15th layer). On steep southerly aspects the crust is supportive, whereas on northerly aspects the crust is quite thin and variable. Beneath the December 15th layer the snowpack is well settled. The late November rain crust is now buried 50-80 cm in the northern part of the region and well over 1 m in the south. Great conditions reports from the north of the region are posted on the Mountain Information Network (MIN) here, as well as from the southern part of the region, here.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong winds have redistributed the recent storm snow scouring windward areas and building wind slabs on leeward slopes and exposed areas. These slabs sit on the recent crust and may still be reactive to light loads such as a skier or rider.

Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking. Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

It may be possible to trigger a storm snow release on steep or convex terrain in areas sheltered from the wind, particulary in the southern part of the region where 80-100 cm of new snow fell last week.

Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 25th, 2017 2:00PM