Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Dec 8 – 9, 2015Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Highlights

The storm continues! Freezing levels are forecast to fall improving conditions but don't let your guard down just yet.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–5
    The reactivity of the storm snow should decrease as freezing levels fall, however, slab avalanches are still likely in steep unsupported terrain and wind loaded features.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

Moderate to heavy precipitation is expected to continue but the exciting news is that freezing levels are forecast to drop. WEDNESDAY: 5-15cm of snow, with heaviest snowfalls forecast for the Coquihalla, light to moderate southeast wind, freezing level falling to 1500m. THUSDAY: 5-15cm of snow, light southerly wind, freezing level at 1200m. FRIDAY: A brief break before the next series of storms with isolated flurries, light southwesterly wind, freezing level at 1000m.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread avalanche cycle is expected to continue as a series of storms pummels the coast range over the next couple of days.

Snowpack Summary

We're still dealing with a limited set of observations and it sounds like there is quite a lot of variability across the region. It's been snowing hard above 2200m where deep storm slabs are developing. At lower elevations heavy rain has saturated the snowpack. Strong southwesterly winds have loaded lee features at ridge top. The new snow is sitting on a supportive mid-pack in the Duffy whereas pre-storm reports from the Coquihalla described a shallower early season snowpack.

Regions covered