Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 24th, 2012 8:18AM

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

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Moderate SE winds. Alpine temp -9. Light snow.Wednesday: Light W winds. Alpine temp -8. A few cm snow.Thursday: Light SW winds. Alpine temp -7. No precipitation.

Avalanche Summary

A skier is reported to have triggered a size 2.5 slab on Saturday on a wind-loaded SW aspect at treeline in the Duffey lake area. Soft slabs and fast running loose dry avalanches were also failing naturally over the weekend.

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. Although unlikely, triggering an avalanche on this layer 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.

Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.>Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 25th, 2012 2:00PM