Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 3rd, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

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Higher elevation terrain may be accumulating enough snow for dangerous avalanche conditions.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to difficult to forecast freezing levels.

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: 20-40 mm of precipitation with snow line around 1200 m, 40 km/h wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around +1 C.

WEDNESDAY: Rain and snow ending in the morning then mostly cloudy in the afternoon, 30 km/h wind from the west, treeline temperatures drop to -2 C in the afternoon.

THURSDAY: Clear in the morning with increasing cloud in the afternoon, light wind from the south, treeline high temperatures around +2 C.

FRIDAY: 5-10 mm of rain, 30 km/h wind from the southwest, treeline high temperatures around +4 C.

Avalanche Summary

So far this season there has been insufficient snow on the ground to produce avalanches. Watch for areas where the current storm brings enough snow to cover the ground roughness.

Snowpack Summary

As storms track across the region the snow line fluctuates around the peaks of the South Coast region. Areas above 1200 m are likely accumulating some snow, but that same snow is likely getting rained on and melting away at times. Prior to these storms, the North Shore mountains had about 25 cm of snow on the ground and some higher alpine areas had slightly deeper deposits of crusty snow. As the weather clears on Wednesday afternoon there will be a clearer picture of where and how much it snowed. Avalanche danger will be heightened in areas that received at least 25 cm of fresh snow.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Higher elevations could accumulate significant amounts of new snow and form unstable storm slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Wet loose avalanches could occur in steep terrain where the snow has been soaked by rain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 4th, 2019 4:00PM