Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Dec 29 – 30, 2018Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

20-25cm of new snow at upper elevations in the southern portion of the region will require a few days to settle and stabilize.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    A weak layer buried 100 to 150 cm has the potential to produce large avalanches. This layer is likely most problematic in the north of the region and possibly the far south, around treeline and lower alpine elevations.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    New snow combined with wind and warm temperatures has promoted the development of storm slabs. Thickest deposits will be found in the lee of terrain features.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries and clear periods  / Moderate northwest wind / Alpine temperature -6 CSUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks / Moderate northwest wind / Alpine temperature -5 C MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light north wind / Alpine temperature -5 CTUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light west wind / Alpine Temperature -3

Avalanche Summary

Reports are limited, but no avalanches have been reported in past few days.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of recent new snow covering what is reported to be a widespread weak layer of feathery surface hoar. Below this, about 30 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust below around 1800 m. Reports are limited, but they suggest that the snow is bonding well to the crust. Expect the deepest deposits of storm snow to be in lee and cross-loaded terrain features.In the north portion of the region and possibly the far south, a weak layer of facets and surface hoar lies below all this storm snow, around 100 to 150 cm deep. The weak layer appears most prominent around treeline, up to 2000 m. There has not been reports of avalanche activity on this layer for the past week. Although this layer is likely gaining strength, field observations show that slab avalanches remain possible on this layer where it exists.

Regions covered