Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 30th, 2014–Dec 1st, 2014

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.

Little change expected in the danger ratings until the next storm.

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

Some cloud over night with very little or no precipitation and moderate Southwest winds. Cold overnight temperatures around -15 in the alpine. Clearing during the day Monday with slightly warmer alpine temperatures around -10 combined with moderate Northwest winds. Tuesday mostly clear with alpine temperatures around -5. Some moisture starting to enter the picture by Thursday.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of avalanches. Please let us know what you're seeing out there at [email protected].

Snowpack Summary

There are few actual observations from the region to start the season. This is based mostly off weather station data and the weather forecast. Most areas experienced heavy rain this week up to 2000 m, or even higher. Higher elevations may have continued to see wet snow accumulate, and possibly a lot of it. Rapid cooling early on Friday has probably left a new rain crust near the surface, but in some areas it's already buried by 10-15 cm of light snow. A weak layer of facetted snow on a crust may be lurking deeper in the snowpack. However, it's possible this weakness was 'flushed' out with the recent heavy precipitation. There's limited recent info on this weakness so I recommend digging to confirm the existence of the layer, its depth, and to test its strength.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Northeasterly outflow winds may have developed new windslabs in areas with snow available for transport. The old storm slab may be triggered by human activity in areas where it was high enough to have been above the rain before the re-freeze.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>Cold temperatures may have stabilized the snowpack, but watch out for lingering instabilities in alpine terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3