Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 31st, 2017–Jan 1st, 2018
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Coast.

Watch for small loose wet avalanches on sun exposed slopes Monday and avoid terrain traps like gulleys and creek bottoms at all elevations where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

A warm dry pattern is expected for the next few days. The upper ridge will shift eastward on New Year's Day, which should allow freezing levels on the Coast to rise to around 2500 m. This pattern is expected to stick with us for the foreseeable future. MONDAY: Scattered cloud, freezing level around 2500 m, light northwest wind, no snow expected.TUESDAY: Scattered cloud, freezing level around 2500 m, light southwest wind, no snow expected.WEDNESDAY: Clear at dawn, cloud cover increasing through the day, freezing level around 2800 m, light variable wind, no snow expected.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was reported on Friday or Saturday.  Warming temperatures on Monday may initiate a round of natural loose wet avalanches as the formerly cold snow is introduced to heat for the first time.

Snowpack Summary

Two successive storms produced 40 to 80 cm of snow over the last few days. Friday night's storm started as rain before turning to snow overnight. The brief period of rain followed by snow and cooling temperatures is thought to have helped the snowpack to settle and stabilize. Forecast warm temperatures on Monday should allow the old storm snow to further settle.50 to 100 cm below the surface you'll likely find a couple of melt-freeze crusts which were buried mid-December. This interface has been dormant and has not produced any recent avalanche activity. Below this, the snowpack is thought to be strong and well settled. The snowpack depth is about 160 cm at 1000 m, 220 cm at 1250 m. Many early season hazards are still present at lower elevations.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Natural loose wet avalanches are possible on Monday, especially on steep sun exposed slopes. With all the new snow in the last few days loose wet avalanches could entrain considerable mass, especially in terrain traps like gulleys.
Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2