Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 6th, 2013–Dec 7th, 2013

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

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

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

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: Northwest Coastal.

This forecast is based on limited field observations. If you head into the mountains, please send a note to [email protected] and let us know what you saw.

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Partly cloudy with light flurries possible, moderate to strong outflow winds in valley bottoms and moderate northeasterly alpine winds. Treeline temperatures expected to be around -15. Sunday: Partly cloudy but dry with moderate northertly alpine winds. Above freezing temperatures possible between 1200m and 2000m. Monday: Partly cloudy but dry with moderate northertly alpine winds and slightly warmer temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported, but reports are limited.

Snowpack Summary

Snowpack depths are highly variable across the region, with elevation, and in wind-exposed areas. Low-elevation and wind-affected areas have a shallow faceted snowpack. While in higher elevation sheltered areas the recent storm snow is settling and gaining strength; however, weaknesses at the old snow interface down approximately 40cm may still need time to heal. Recent reports suggest this interface is still giving easy compression test results and remains a concern with wind slabs. The lower snowpack is a series of crusts, some of which are laminated with facets, particularly in shallower areas. Facets under the uppermost crust, down approximately 50cm, gave hard sudden collapse compression test results in the Shames area on Sunday. Recent cold and clear weather is promoting surface hoar formation and near-surface faceting.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Outflow winds are reverse-loading and cross-loading exposed slopes forming fresh and touchy wind slabs below ridge crests and behind terrain features. Don't let wind slabs in unusual places catch you by surprise.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Avoid traveling in areas that have been reverse-loaded or cross-loaded by winds.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 4