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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 6th, 2014–Dec 7th, 2014
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Coast.

Sunday should see a brief lull in the weather before we're hit by an onslaught of strong weather systems next week. 

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Cloudy with sunny breaks and a chance of showers or flurries later in the day. Freezing levels are near 1200 m, but a deep above freezing layer could form essentially driving freezing levels over 2000 m. Winds may rise to strong from the south late in the day. Monday: Cloudy with showers or snow. The freezing level is around 1800-2000 m and winds are strong from the S-SW. Tuesday: Periods of rain – heavy at times. The freezing level is around 2200-2400 m and winds are very strong from the south.

Avalanche Summary

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

Snowpack Summary

Around 10-15 cm of moist new snow now covers the previous variable snow surface that consisted of facets (dry sugary snow) and surface hoar in sheltered areas, or pockets of old wind slab and an ice crust in open wind-exposed terrain (depending on aspect). Fresh new wind slabs may have formed in open north and east facing slopes, especially below ridges and behind terrain features in the alpine. 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 above treeline. There's limited recent info on this weakness so I recommend digging to confirm the existence of the layer, its depth, and strength. Snow pack depth and snow quality drastically diminishes as you drop below treeline.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Forecast snow and wind could form new wind slabs in exposed lee terrain, especially in the alpine. The new snow may not bond well initially and could be triggered by the weight of a person or sled. 
Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3