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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 10th, 2019–Dec 11th, 2019
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Coast Inland.

Triggering wind slab avalanches might be possible in the alpine. Watch out for signs of instability as you approach avalanche terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries, 30 km/h wind from the west, alpine temperatures around -5 C, freezing level at 1200 m.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with flurries, 30 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -3 C, freezing level at 1300 m.

THURSDAY: Cloudy, 5-15 cm of snow, 60 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -6 C, freezing level at 1300 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with flurries, light wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -8 C, freezing level at 1000 m. 

Avalanche Summary

Minimal avalanche activity has been reported over the past week. Some parts of the region may have received enough new snow with the recent storm to form slabs at higher elevations. The greatest concern is in wind affected terrain and where the storm snow sits on smooth surfaces (such as glaciers, rock slabs, and areas that already have enough snow to cover rocks and shrubs).

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm snow totals to about 25 cm for most parts of the region. The snow layers underneath are a mix of hard crusts and facet/crust layers. Snowpack depths remain quite thin throughout the region. Current snowpack depths are around 70 cm at upper treeline elevations, with many rocks and trees sticking out at lower elevations. In the alpine you can find slightly deeper areas where wind has formed wind slabs. Below treeline terrain is below the threshold for avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs were created during the storm last week with southwest winds. A change of the wind direction to wind from the north on Saturday might have created fresh wind slab pockets in lee terrain features. Wind slabs might be possible to trigger where the snow sits on smooth surfaces (such as glaciers, rock slabs, and areas that already have enough snow to cover rocks and shrubs).

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2